Massive gridlock was recorded at some of the country’s airports from Sunday as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) began the implementation of its cashless policy at airport access gates.
The agency had announced that effective March 1, 2026, cash will no longer be accepted at any of its pay points, including access gates, car parks, and executive lounges.
Passengers travelling through airports in Lagos and Abuja expressed frustration with the system, with some allegedly missing their flights after spending hours trying to access the airports.
In a statement on its X handle, FAAN acknowledged the challenge and decried that it was happening despite the wide publicity, notices, and repeated announcements issued ahead of the commencement date.
According to FAAN, a significant number of motorists opted to register for their go cashless cards at the gates on Sunday, creating pressure on the toll lanes and resulting in temporary gridlock.
To ease the situation, FAAN said additional personnel had been deployed to the access gates, increased registration points to fast-track first-time card issuance, and enhanced on-ground coordination to improve traffic flow, even as it appealed for patience, understanding, and cooperation of all motorists.
