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.

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Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed the development on Wednesday through his official X account, revealing that the decision came after extensive consultations with stakeholders, public appeals, and expressions of remorse from both parties.

Emmanson, who had been held at Kirikiri Prison since her arrest on 10 August 2025, will be released this week following Ibom Air’s withdrawal of its criminal complaint. 

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to remove the lifetime ban it placed on her. According to Keyamo, “When the police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.”

Battle for the Boarding Pass: Air Peace vs. Ibom Air on Key Nigerian Routes

The case of Comfort Emmanson began during a flight from Uyo to Lagos, when she reportedly refused to switch off her mobile phone during take-off, later escalating into an altercation with Ibom Air crew members. She was charged at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court before being remanded.

In a separate incident, Wasiu Ayinde, known as KWAM 1, had faced a six-month no-fly sanction for allegedly attempting to board a ValueJet flight at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on 5 August 2025 with a flask suspected to contain alcohol. 

Reports say he refused to hand it over and proceeded to walk onto the tarmac, obstructing the aircraft’s movement.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had also suspended the licences of ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba for taxiing while individuals were still on the runway. 

Under the new resolution, their licences will be reinstated after serving the same one-month suspension, followed by a professional reappraisal.

Industry bodies had earlier intervened, with the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) urging the NCAA to reconsider the pilots’ suspension, citing their clean professional records. 

However, some aviation law experts, including Professor Ismail Adua Mustapha, had warned that failing to prosecute KWAM 1 could harm Nigeria’s Grade A safety rating and breach obligations under international aviation rules, such as Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention.

Keyamo stressed that the decisions were made purely on compassionate grounds, stating they do not reflect a soft approach to aviation misconduct. He announced that KWAM 1 will now serve as an ambassador for airport security protocol, a role aimed at promoting awareness of proper conduct in aviation environments.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will work with him to drive the campaign. The decision has divided public opinion, some view it as a smart way to turn a high-profile infraction into an educational effort, while others question the optics of appointing someone recently sanctioned to champion discipline in aviation spaces.

As part of the measures, a nationwide aviation security retreat will be held to retrain personnel on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations. Airlines will also undergo targeted sessions to improve staff professionalism and passenger relations.

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