President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the controversial cashless policy introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This directive comes barely four days after its rollout on March 1, which triggered massive gridlock and widespread complaints at major airports across the nation, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The policy, which mandated digital payments via ‘Go Cashless’ cards or POS systems for airport access gates, parking, and lounges, was initially implemented by FAAN with the aim of eliminating corruption and optimizing revenue collection, replacing a decades-old practice of cash payments. However, its rapid implementation led to severe traffic jams, long queues, stranded motorists, and numerous missed flights, causing significant hardship for air travellers.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the President’s directive following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Tinubu. Keyamo stated that the President was deeply concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the disruptions caused, directing the aviation ministry and FAAN leadership to halt the policy’s implementation pending a comprehensive review.

President Tinubu specifically instructed the ministry and FAAN to "go back to the drawing board" and develop a more people-friendly alternative. This alternative must balance the goals of revenue transparency with passenger convenience, ensuring that the new system does not create operational bottlenecks. Keyamo emphasized that the President's decision was an act of empathy, not a rejection of cashless systems, but rather a response to the suffering caused by the current implementation.

As a temporary measure, the government has directed a revert to the previous payment arrangement. A hybrid system will now be introduced, allowing motorists to make payments using both cash and the pre-purchased FAAN cards. This temporary solution aims to ease the immediate difficulties faced by travellers while a more robust electronic platform is designed.

The Federal Government remains committed to a fully electronic revenue collection system. Keyamo disclosed plans to involve private sector partners in devising a much more efficient electronic payment platform. This new system is expected to eliminate cash transactions without causing delays, and the President has directed that the review process be completed quickly to restore efficiency at airport entry points. The Minister stressed that the suspension is not a permanent return to cash transactions but a temporary measure to alleviate current challenges, with continued consultations between the ministry and FAAN to achieve a seamless payment solution.

Prior to the suspension, Minister Keyamo had acknowledged the initial congestion and appealed for patience, stating that he and his team would review the first week of the cashless policy to assess its performance, address teething challenges, and improve efficiency. He had also reiterated the government's determination to end cash collection at airport gates.