FAAN Issues 40,000 Go Cashless Cards In 3 Days Amid Airport Gridlock

Amid the traffic gridlock and chaos that followed the enforcement of a cashless toll payment system at airports nationwide, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has disclosed that more than 40,000 “Go Cashless” cards have been issued since March 1, 2026.

LEADERSHIP reports that the policy’s enforcement on Monday triggered massive congestion at major airports, leaving passengers scrambling to catch their flights.

Motorists without the newly introduced Go Cashless cards were denied entry at toll gates and redirected to designated registration points within airport premises, worsening the traffic situation.

Speaking on ARISE NEWS, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, clarified that the newly issued 40,000 cards are separate from the 30,000 users onboarded during the sensitisation campaign that began in October 2025.

Agbebire apologised to affected passengers, saying, “First, I should start by apologising. We express our profound apology for the distress some of our road users and passengers have gone through in the last two days.”

He assured travellers that the situation has begun to improve and is expected to stabilise within days.

According to him, although FAAN commenced sensitisation in October 2025 and onboarded about 30,000 users ahead of the deadline, many Nigerians delayed registration until enforcement day.

“When the deadline came, March 1 was a no-go-back date. Suddenly, the pressure was heavy,” he explained, noting that an additional 40,000 cards were issued within three days of implementation.

Agbebire emphasised that the Go Cashless card remains the fastest payment option at airport access gates. He added that debit cards, E-tags, and VIP E-tags are also accepted.

However, he acknowledged that Point-of-Sale (POS) payments are slower and significantly contributed to the traffic build-up at airport entrances, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.
He advised passengers to adjust their travel plans accordingly.

“When you’re travelling internationally, you should get to the airport three hours before departure. Now, we are advising people to consider adding another 30 minutes or one hour so you don’t miss your flight,” he said, stressing that customer experience remains a top priority for the authority.

The cashless directive, backed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and implemented in partnership with Paystack, eliminates physical cash payments at airport toll gates, car parks and lounges.

FAAN maintains that the system will enhance transaction speed and transparency, projecting that revenue could increase by as much as 75 per cent once full compliance is achieved.