The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria says it has distributed over 70,000 Go Cashless cards to ease traffic congestion and restore seamless operations at airports after disruptions caused by the rollout of its new cashless payment system.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN,
Henry Agbebire, disclosed this during an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday.

He admitted that the transition caused inconvenience for travellers and motorists, apologised to those affected, and assured that conditions are gradually improving.

Agbebire said that although groundwork for the rollout began months earlier, many airport users delayed registration until enforcement commenced, leading to long queues at entry points.

FAAN Go Cashless policy officially took effect on March 1, 2026, ending cash payments at airport toll gates, car parks and executive lounges across the country.

He said that between October and late February, about 30,000 cards were issued. However, following the March 1 enforcement, registrations spiked, with roughly 40,000 additional cards processed within just three days.

He added that FAAN had launched public awareness and onboarding campaigns months ahead of the deadline, but last-minute compliance placed significant strain on operations.

“But interestingly, as I speak to you, we’ve done over 70,000 total cards, and gradually we believe the tension will go down as the government’s Go Cashless program becomes more aggressively recognised and utilised,” he said.

He added that the Go Cashless card remains the fastest payment method at airport access gates, as it uses contactless scanning that allows barriers to open almost instantly.
Other options, including debit cards and E-tags, are also available.

However, debit card payments processed through point-of-sale terminals may take longer and could contribute to delays during peak traffic periods.

FAAN said it expects traffic flow to stabilise within about a week and advised travellers — especially international passengers — to arrive earlier than usual to avoid missing their flights.

“We are quite hopeful, probably in a week. But I must say this: we’ve issued regular travel advisories. To a large extent, it’s typical that when you’re travelling internationally, you should get to the airport three hours before the time,” he said.

With the rollout of the new policy, FAAN has stopped accepting cash at its entry gates, parking areas, and airport lounges. All payments must now be made electronically through authorised platforms.

Motorists can select from four payment options: the Go Cashless card, debit or ATM cards, standard E-tags, and VIP E-tags tailored for frequent users and registered vehicles. FAAN says that although all options are accepted, the contactless card and E-tags enable quicker processing at high-traffic gates.

On Tuesday, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku said the authority would fully enforce the cashless policy at airports nationwide, describing the move as part of wider efforts to plug revenue leakages and strengthen operational transparency.