FAAN urges port users to exercise patience as cashless policy begins

The cashless policy (Go Cashless) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) began on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the access gates of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. The policy is in alignment with the Federal Government’s directive on cashless transactions.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has therefore appealed to motorists and airport to be patient as there would be a traffic buildup challenge around the gates but it would be temporary.

“We acknowledge the traffic build-up experienced at the access gates today. Despite the wide publicity, notices, and repeated announcements issued ahead of the commencement date, a significant number of motorists opted to register for their Go Cashless cards at the gates this morning. This understandably created pressure on the toll lanes and resulted in temporary gridlock.

“While some initial adjustment challenges were anticipated, as with any major system transition, the Authority had provided ample notice to encourage early registration and avoid congestion on day one,” said FAAN.

To ease the traffic, FAAN said it had deployed additional personnel to the access gates, increased registration points to fast-track first-time card issuance and enhanced on-ground coordination to improve traffic flow.

“We appeal for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work diligently to stabilise and streamline the process. This transition is designed to deliver long-term benefits — faster processing, improved transparency, reduced cash handling risks, and a more efficient airport environment for all.

“We therefore urge all motorists who are yet to obtain their Go Cashless cards to take advantage of the expanded registration support being provided and to plan ahead for subsequent visits,” said FAAN.