The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has announced a hybrid payment system at Nigerian airports, combining cash and electronic options, following the suspension of the full cashless access gate arrangement.
The directive came after a review meeting on Tuesday in Abuja with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and senior ministry officials.
The meeting aimed at addressing operational challenges caused by the initial rollout of the cashless system, which led to traffic congestion at several airport gates.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier ordered the suspension of the cashless system after widespread gridlock, prompting the ministry to consider alternative solutions.
Under the new arrangement, both cash and electronic payments would be accepted at all airport access gates starting Friday, March 13, 2026.
Motorists with the FAAN Go Cashless Card can continue using their cards, while other electronic payment methods, including POS terminals and approved digital platforms, remain available.
The ministry said the hybrid system is a temporary measure while concessionaires work toward a fully automated electronic system designed to eventually eliminate cash transactions at airport access points.
The ministry encouraged the public to obtain and use the FAAN Go Cashless Card as part of ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and optimise electronic payments across the nation’s airports.
“This decision restores a practical payment system while laying the groundwork for a fully automated solution in the near future,” the ministry noted.
