By Crystal Ugoeze
Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the recently introduced cashless payment system at Nigerian airports following widespread complaints of traffic gridlock and missed flights.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja.
Keyamo said the directive followed reports that the new electronic payment system introduced at toll gates and other payment points around airports had caused severe congestion, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, leaving many passengers stranded and unable to catch their flights.
The cashless system was introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to curb corruption and enhance revenue collection by eliminating cash transactions at airport toll gates and parking points.
However, less than a week after its rollout, the system reportedly led to long queues along airport access roads.
According to the minister, President Tinubu expressed concern over the hardship faced by travellers and directed that the system be suspended immediately.
He said the government would temporarily revert to the previous payment method while working on improvements to the electronic platform.
Keyamo explained that a temporary hybrid arrangement would be introduced, allowing motorists to pay with cash or use prepaid FAAN cards already in circulation.
The minister added that the Federal Government would engage private sector partners to develop a more efficient electronic payment solution that would eliminate cash transactions without causing delays.
He stressed that the suspension is only temporary and does not signal a permanent return to cash payments, noting that the President remains committed to a fully electronic revenue collection system that will not create congestion at airport entry points.
Further consultations with FAAN and stakeholders are expected as the government works to redesign and improve the payment system.