The Nigerian government has suspended its cashless payment policy at airport tollgates nationwide, following days of traffic gridlock and public outcry, and will temporarily revert to free access for motorists.
The decision, announced by President Bola Tinubu, comes after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reported that more than 100,000 vehicle access cards had been issued in a rushed effort to enforce the policy. FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku revealed that 62,000 of these cards were processed in just three days following the March 1 enforcement deadline, a period marked by severe bottlenecks and long queues that caused many passengers to miss flights.
Despite prior public awareness campaigns, Kuku acknowledged the initial rollout created significant disruptions at major airports in Lagos and Abuja. “It did create a huge bottleneck over the first few days,” she stated, noting that traffic had begun to ease in some locations like Abuja before the presidential intervention.
President Tinubu directed the immediate opening of all airport tollgates to provide relief, a move confirmed by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo. “Mr President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that most Nigerians were missing their flights,” Keyamo said, adding that the suspension is temporary. The ministry and FAAN have been instructed to develop a more efficient electronic system while returning to the previous payment arrangement.
Eyewitnesses and motorists confirmed that FAAN officials vacated toll stations following the presidential directive, resulting in free-flowing traffic at previously congested entry points for the past five days. One motorist, Idris, noted the absence of officials and said he had passed through without checks or payment.
The suspension halts a policy first piloted in October 2024, intended to modernize collections and reduce cash handling at airports. However, its abrupt enforcement exposed gaps in infrastructure and public preparedness. The government now faces the challenge of implementing a seamless digital payment system that balances efficiency with avoiding the recent disruptions.
The temporary free access will remain in place while authorities work on a revised rollout strategy, highlighting the tension between policy ambition and operational realities in Nigeria’s transportation sector.
