President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the suspension of the cashless payment policy recently rolled out at Nigeria’s international airports by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The directive comes amid widespread disruption, long queues and gridlock at airport access points, which left travellers frustrated and, in some cases, missing flights.
The policy, branded “Operation Go Cashless”, was introduced earlier this week and required motorists and airport users to pay electronically at toll gates, car parks and other revenue collection points nationwide.
While the move was designed to improve efficiency, reduce revenue leakages and align with broader digital payment reforms, its rapid implementation exposed significant operational challenges, including limited public awareness, card shortages and delays in electronic payment processing, that led to severe congestion at entry and exit points, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.
At the end of a Federal Executive Council meeting, Transportation Minister Festus Keyamo, speaking on behalf of the government, said the President was “concerned about the welfare of Nigerians” and directed that the system be taken back to the drawing board for review and improvement.
He emphasised that the suspension does not signal an outright rejection of cashless transactions, but rather an acknowledgment that the rollout needs to be better planned and executed so as not to inconvenience the travelling public.
Keyamo indicated that the administration may involve private sector partners to help design a more efficient system, suggesting a hybrid approach where those with electronic payment tools can use them, while others may temporarily continue to pay in cash until a seamless digital solution is ready.
The decision stresses the challenge of implementing large-scale digital reforms in high-traffic environments where infrastructure, user readiness, and clear communication are critical for success.
It also highlights the government’s responsiveness to public feedback, even as it continues to pursue broader cashless initiatives across federal revenue systems.
