Hybrid payment system resumes at airports’ access gates Friday

The Federal Government has directed the resumption of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates nationwide starting Friday, March 13, 2026, allowing motorists to pay using both cash and electronic options. The directive was issued by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following a review meeting with officials of the Federal […]

The Federal Government has directed the resumption of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates nationwide starting Friday, March 13, 2026, allowing motorists to pay using both cash and electronic options.

The directive was issued by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following a review meeting with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and senior officials of the ministry in Abuja, a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The decision came after the earlier suspension of the full cashless access gate payment system as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the system caused severe traffic congestion at airport entry points.

Daily Trust reports that since the suspension last week, the access gates have been left open for motorists without FAAN officials on ground to collect tolls.

It is estimated that millions of naira are lost daily following the decision to leave the access gates in Abuja and Lagos open.

But the ministry explained that the temporary arrangement will allow motorists to pay with cash, cards, or other electronic payment channels, while work continues to improve the cashless system.

The government said the move is intended to restore smooth traffic flow at airport access gates while maintaining progress toward a fully digital payment structure.

Under the directive, motorists who already possess FAAN Go Cashless Cards can continue using them until further notice.

In addition, Point of Sale (POS) terminals and other approved digital payment channels will remain operational at the gates.

The Ministry of Aviation said it would also engage concessionaires to introduce a fully automated electronic payment system across airport access gates in the future.

 

The long-term objective, according to the ministry, is to completely eliminate cash payments once the upgraded system becomes fully operational.

 

“The Ministry has resolved to engage concessionaires in order to introduce a fully automated or electronic system at all access gates at our airports in order to fully and eventually eliminate cash payments,” the ministry said in a statement.

 

While the hybrid system takes effect, motorists and airport users have been encouraged to obtain the FAAN Go Cashless Card as the authority continues to improve the payment infrastructure.

 

The ministry said the interim arrangement effectively restores the previous payment structure while the government works to optimise a seamless electronic payment platform.