Nigeria Restores Cash Payments at Airport Access Gates

The Nigerian government has restored cash payments at airport access gates across the country following disruptions caused by the recently introduced cashless policy.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, approved a hybrid payment system that allows motorists to pay with both cash and electronic channels.

Keyamo gave the directive following a meeting with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and senior ministry officials on Tuesday in Abuja.

Under the arrangement, motorists will be able to pay both with cash and through electronic channels at airport entry gates starting Friday, March 13, 2026.

In a statement, Keyamo’s spokesperson, Tunde Moshood, said the decision followed the earlier suspension of the full cashless system ordered by President Bola Tinubu after it caused heavy traffic congestion at major airports.

Nigeria Restores Cash Payments at Airport Access Gates. Credit: Festus Keyamo/X

“The Ministry has resolved to engage concessionaires in order to introduce a fully automated or electronic system at all access gates at our airports in order to fully and eventually eliminate cash payments,” Moshood said.

“In the meantime, a hybrid payment system that accommodates both cash and card payments will resume at all airport access gates with effect from Friday, March 13, 2026.”

Moshood added that motorists who already have FAAN Go Cashless Cards may continue to use them until further notice, and other electronic payment options, including POS terminals and other approved digital channels, will also remain available.

However, he advised drivers to get and utilise the FAAN Go Cashless Card while the government works to enhance and fully optimise the digital payment system.

Moshood noted that this directive restores the previous access gate payment arrangement while the ministry continues to work on the fully automated or electronic system.

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

Abuja, Nigeria

PRESS RELEASE

Aviation Minister Directs Hybrid Access Gate Payment System at Airports

Following the earlier suspension of the full cashless Access Gate payment system as directed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,… pic.twitter.com/VV2bsk2L6L

— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) March 10, 2026

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Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.