BREAKING: Tinubu Halts Airport Cashless Policy Over Gridlock, Missed Flights

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the newly introduced cashless payment system at Nigerian airports following widespread complaints of traffic congestion and missed flights.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the directive on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

According to Keyamo, the cashless policy  introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)  was designed to curb corruption and boost government revenue by ending decades of cash collections at airport toll gates and parking points.

However, within days of its rollout, the system triggered severe traffic build-up around major airports, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, leaving many travellers stranded and causing several to miss their flights.

“The President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians,” Keyamo said. “Many passengers were missing their flights due to the gridlock created by the new system.”

He explained that Tinubu directed the immediate suspension of the policy to ease the hardship faced by airport users.

Under the new directive, FAAN will temporarily revert to the previous payment arrangement while authorities work on a more efficient electronic platform.

A hybrid system will also be introduced in the interim, allowing cash payments alongside the use of prepaid FAAN cards already purchased by motorists.

“For those who have bought FAAN cards, we will allow them to continue using them. At the same time, we will temporarily accept cash to reduce congestion,” the minister stated.

Keyamo stressed that the suspension does not signal a permanent return to cash transactions. Instead, it is a temporary measure aimed at restoring order and ensuring smoother access to airports.

The Federal Government, he added, will collaborate with private sector partners to redesign the electronic payment framework to eliminate delays while maintaining transparency and accountability. He noted that private operators may be engaged to manage the system, even if commissions must be paid.

“If we have to pay commission, we will. The priority is to create a system that works efficiently without causing gridlock,” he said.

Tinubu, according to the minister, remains committed to a fully cashless revenue collection system  but one that does not inconvenience Nigerians.

“The major reason for this decision is to eliminate the current gridlock, especially at the Lagos and Abuja airport toll gates,” Keyamo said.

The ministry is expected to hold further consultations with FAAN and provide updates as work begins on a seamless and more reliable electronic payment solution for airport users.