No going back on cashless policy at airports ― Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared that there is no going back on the cashless policy at airports across Nigeria.

Keyamo made this known during an on-the-spot assessment of the hybrid payment system adopted by the government at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The hybrid payment was adopted, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to suspend full cashless implementation.

Keyamo stated that the government was only considering people who had yet to obtain the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) cashless card to use cash pending the nation’s full migration to cashless system.

Keyamo said: “We decided to go back to the drawing boards to see what we can do to prevent revenue loss and ease the traffic.

“That was the reason we came up with this hybrid system now.

“So, those who have the cards already can continue using their cards, as such money goes straight into Treasury Single Account (TSA), which is the federation account.

“Look, there is no going back on the cashless system. It is too late for those who think they can frustrate the cashless system because they like the cash collection system.

Tinubu orders suspension of cashless payment system at Nigerian airports

“This nation has passed such a stage. There is limited time left for the hybrid system.”

The minister reiterated the existing federal government’s directive that no federal agency should ever collect cash.

Keyamo disclosed that the government had started discussing with concessionaires, who would come and make the airports fully automated.

The minister reiterated the government’s resolve to stop the corrupt cash payment system at the nation’s airports, which has lingered for 50 years.

It would be recalled that Tinubu directed the temporary suspension of the cashless payment system at Nigerian airport toll gates because of its sudden implementation.

The implementation caused severe traffic congestion and long queues of vehicles, making it difficult for motorists to complete electronic payments quickly.

The delays led to passengers arriving late at the terminals and missing their flights, creating hardship and operational disruptions at airports.

The Star