Tinubu Orders Suspension of FAAN Cashless Airport Policy After Nationwide Gridlock
Tinubu Orders Suspension of FAAN Cashless Airport Policy After Traffic Chaos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate suspension of a controversial cashless payment policy recently introduced at Nigerian airports after it triggered massive traffic congestion and disrupted travel plans across the country.
The directive was issued to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following widespread complaints from passengers and airport users.
The policy, introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, was designed to eliminate physical cash payments at airport entry gates. Under the system, motorists entering airport premises were expected to make payments using electronic methods such as POS terminals, bank transfers, or prepaid cards.
Authorities said the move was meant to modernize payment systems, reduce cash handling, and improve transparency.
However, shortly after the system was implemented, travelers began reporting severe delays at airport entrance points. Long queues of vehicles reportedly formed at several airports as drivers struggled with payment procedures, faulty terminals, and network issues.
The congestion affected major airports including those in Lagos and Abuja, with some passengers allegedly missing scheduled flights due to the delays.
The situation quickly sparked public criticism and complaints on social media, with many Nigerians calling the rollout poorly planned.
Following the growing outcry, President Tinubu ordered that the policy be temporarily suspended while authorities review the system. The president reportedly instructed aviation authorities to reassess the implementation strategy and ensure that any future system does not create unnecessary hardship for airport users.
Officials say the government will now work on improving the payment infrastructure before reconsidering a nationwide rollout.
While many Nigerians support the idea of modernizing payment systems, critics say the situation highlights the importance of testing new policies thoroughly before implementation.
Some aviation experts believe digital payment systems can improve efficiency at airports, but only if the technology and infrastructure are reliable.
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EverydayStoryNetwork Perspective
The suspension of the policy shows how quickly government decisions can change when public inconvenience becomes widespread.
As Nigeria continues to adopt digital systems across various sectors, experts say proper planning, testing, and infrastructure readiness will be crucial to avoid similar disruptions in the future.
For now, airport users may temporarily return to the previous payment system while authorities redesign a more effective solution.
What do you think?
Should Nigerian airports go fully cashless, or should cash options remain available?



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