The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to a full cashless system at the country’s airports, even as it implements a temporary hybrid payment model to address immediate operational challenges. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed there is “no going back” on the policy during an on-site assessment at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday.
The hybrid system allows passengers with Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) cashless cards to continue using electronic payments, which direct funds straight to the Treasury Single Account (TSA). Those without the card may still use cash temporarily. This approach follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to suspend a full, immediate switch to cashless transactions after a rushed rollout caused severe traffic congestion and long queues at airport toll gates. The delays resulted in passengers missing flights and significant operational disruption.
Keyamo explained the hybrid model was adopted to “prevent revenue loss and ease the traffic” while the final migration is completed. He stressed that the pause is a pragmatic adjustment, not a reversal. “Look, there is no going back on the cashless system. It is too late for those who think they can frustrate the cashless system because they like the cash collection system. This nation has passed such a stage,” Keyamo stated, warning that the hybrid period is limited.
The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s standing directive that no agency should collect cash, framing the change as a necessary end to a “corrupt cash payment system” that has persisted for decades. He disclosed that discussions are underway with private concessionaires to automate the airports fully.
The initial suspension of full cashless implementation was a direct response to the chaos its sudden introduction created. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inability of many motorists to complete electronic payments quickly led to gridlock, causing passenger delays and flight misses across major airports.
The government’s current path seeks to balance its firm long-term policy goal with short-term logistical realities, ensuring a smoother transition that safeguards revenue and airport efficiency. The focus now is on finalizing the hybrid arrangement while accelerating plans for comprehensive airport automation.
