FAAN Distributes 70,000 'Go Cashless' Cards Following Rollout at Nigerian Airport Tolls and Lounges

FAAN issues over 70,000 'Go Cashless' cards to ease airport traffic. Learn about the new electronic payment rules for Nigerian airport tolls and parking in 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 7:33 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Nairametrics

Rapid Surge in Digital Payment Adoption

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reported a significant acceleration in the adoption of its "Go Cashless" payment system. Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, revealed on Wednesday that over 70,000 cards have now been issued to airport users. While only 30,000 cards were processed in the months leading up to the deadline, the official enforcement date of March 1 triggered an immediate influx of 40,000 additional registrations within 72 hours. This sharp rise highlights a widespread last-minute shift toward digital compliance as motorists and travelers adjust to the new terminal and toll gate protocols.

Addressing Operational Disruptions and Traffic Flow

The transition has not been without logistical challenges. FAAN officials acknowledged that the surge in registrations caused noticeable traffic congestion and delays at airport entry points during the first few days of March. In an interview with ARISE News, Agbebire apologized for the inconvenience, explaining that the long queues were largely due to users waiting until the enforcement date to obtain their cards. To mitigate these delays, FAAN expects traffic flow to stabilize within a week as more regular users become equipped with contactless tools. In the interim, travelers—especially those on international flights—are strongly advised to arrive at least three hours before departure to account for potential processing delays at access gates.

Strategic Elimination of Revenue Leakages

The Go Cashless policy is a central pillar of FAAN’s strategy to improve financial transparency and accountability across Nigeria’s aviation sector. Under the leadership of Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, the authority is strictly implementing the directive to ensure that every kobo due to the Federal Government is collected electronically. By eliminating cash transactions at toll gates, car parks, and executive lounges, FAAN aims to remove the possibility of manual revenue leakages. This initiative aligns with broader federal reforms designed to digitize public services and centralize government revenue collection through secure, traceable electronic channels.