ABUJA, NIGERIA — In a swift response to the chaotic rollout of the "Operation Go Cashless" initiative, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to immediately suspend the mandatory electronic payment system at all airport toll gates and parking facilities nationwide. The announcement was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
The Chaos of "Operation Go Cashless"
The policy, which was fully enforced on March 1, 2026, was designed to eliminate revenue leakages and modernize a 50-year-old cash-based collection system. However, the implementation at major hubs like Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja turned into a logistical nightmare.
By the second day of enforcement, queues at airport access gates stretched for kilometers. Motorists struggled with failing Point of Sale (POS) terminals, slow network connectivity for mobile transfers, and a shortage of the newly introduced "Go Cashless" prepaid cards. The resulting bottlenecks forced thousands of travellers to abandon their vehicles and trek to the terminals, while hundreds more reportedly missed critical domestic and international flights.
A Presidential Directive Driven by Empathy
Minister Keyamo emphasized that while the President remains committed to transparency and digitalization in revenue collection, he would not allow the welfare of Nigerians to be sacrificed for a flawed rollout. “Mr. President, out of empathy, directed today that we should suspend the present system because it creates a lot of gridlock and Nigerians are suffering as a result of it,” Keyamo told State House correspondents.
The President has instructed the Ministry of Aviation and FAAN to "go back to the drawing board" to perfect a more seamless electronic solution that does not impede the movement of persons or goods. Keyamo clarified that the President is not "happy with the cash system" but prioritized immediate relief for the public over the technical goals of the policy.
What Happens Next?
Effective immediately, airports will return to a hybrid payment system. Motorists who have already purchased the "Go Cashless" prepaid cards can still use them for faster processing, but cash payments will once again be accepted at all toll points to ensure traffic flows freely.
The Ministry of Aviation is expected to engage private sector technological partners to develop a high-speed, contactless payment mechanism—potentially using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or automated license plate recognition—to replace the current manual electronic checks. For now, the "status quo" remains in place until a more robust and "people-friendly" system is certified as ready for a nationwide relaunch.
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