The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, says more than 100,000 airport access cards have been issued to motorists nationwide following disruptions caused by the Federal Government’s cashless payment policy at airport tollgates.
Mrs Kuku disclosed this on Monday while addressing the controversy surrounding the rollout of the electronic payment system introduced at major airports across Nigeria.
According to the FAAN boss, about 62,000 access cards were issued within three days of authorities beginning enforcement of the cashless policy at airport entry gates.
The Federal Government introduced the cashless tollgate payment system at Nigerian airports as part of a broader effort to digitize services and reduce cash transactions at public facilities.
However, the sudden enforcement of the policy left motorists who had not obtained the required access cards in long queues and widespread frustration at major airports.
Meanwhile, Mrs Kuku admitted that the enforcement initially created major traffic bottlenecks despite earlier awareness campaigns.
“Of course, in the implementation of the cashless policy, it made it quite hectic because a lot of commuters and even some passengers did not believe that we would actually start the enforcement on March 1,” Mrs Kuku said.
“It created a huge bottleneck in the first few days, but we have seen it gradually ease. From October, when we began the implementation process, to March 3, we have registered about 100,000 customers, and 62,000 were done in the last three days,” she added.
The FAAN chief said the authority remains committed to ensuring seamless movement for airport users while maintaining safety and security.
She also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening during the crisis.
“We are grateful to Mr President. He was able to step in,” Mrs Kuku said.
Free access to airports after the Presidential intervention
Motorists have enjoyed free access to Nigerian airports for the past five days after President Tinubu ordered tollgates opened following public complaints about the new payment system.
The directive came after the introduction of the cashless policy on March 1, which led to severe traffic gridlock at airport entry points.
Long queues of vehicles were reported at airports, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, while some passengers reportedly missed their flights due to the delays.
Following the President’s order, FAAN officials stationed at airport tollgates reportedly vacated the entry points, allowing vehicles to pass freely.
A motorist identified as Idris said he had passed through the airport tollgate multiple times in the past five days without paying.
“I’m surprised. I have been passing through the tollgate for about 5 days now, and not a single FAAN official has been there. I guess they are restrategising,” Mr Idris said.
Eyewitnesses said traffic at the airport gates has eased significantly since the tollgates were opened.
Government suspends cashless system
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that the Federal Government had temporarily suspended the cashless system following its rollout, which caused widespread disruption.
Mr Keyamo said President Tinubu ordered the suspension after complaints that passengers were missing their flights due to the congestion at airport entrances.
“Mr President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that most Nigerians were missing their flights,” Mr Keyamo said.
“So he directed that we suspend the present system because it created a lot of gridlock and Nigerians were suffering as a result.”
The minister added that the government would revert to the previous payment arrangement while authorities work on a more efficient electronic solution for airport access nationwide.
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