Travellers Stranded as FAAN Cashless Policy Sparks Airport Gridlock

Abuja, March 4, 2026 — Local and foreign travellers at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport have been forced to abandon their vehicles and trek into the terminal after severe traffic congestion erupted from the full enforcement of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) cashless policy.

The “Operation Go Cashless” directive mandates fully electronic payments at all airport revenue points, including access gates, car parks, VIP lounges, and protocol services. With enforcement now active from March 1, 2026, vehicles queued for hours from the toll gate, leaving passengers scrambling to make scheduled flights.

FAAN had initially announced the transition to fully electronic payments in September 2025 as part of efforts to modernise operations, promote transparency, and align Nigeria’s aviation sector with global digital standards. However, enforcement was largely dormant until February when the Federal Government confirmed its full activation to curb revenue leakages.

Travellers are required to use dedicated FAAN electronic payment cards, which must be registered, funded, and scanned at entry points. While some motorists attempted to pay using commercial bank ATM cards or POS terminals, many reported slow and unsuccessful transactions, exacerbating the gridlock.

Stranded passengers were seen dragging luggage on foot from the toll gate to the terminal in a desperate attempt to avoid missing flights, highlighting the operational challenges of the sudden full-scale rollout.

The incident underscores the teething problems of digital transition at Nigerian airports and raises concerns over readiness, enforcement planning, and passenger communication in implementing cashless initiatives.