President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the recently introduced cashless payment system at Nigerian airports due to severe traffic gridlock and hardship caused to travellers.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced this decision after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, stating that the suspension aims to ease difficulties faced by travellers.
The cashless system, introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), was meant to eliminate corruption and improve revenue collection. However, it led to long queues and missed flights, prompting the President’s intervention.
A temporary hybrid arrangement will allow both cash payments and prepaid FAAN cards.
The government plans to engage private sector partners to develop a more efficient electronic payment platform, ensuring minimal disruptions. Keyamo emphasized that the suspension is temporary and aims to restore efficiency at airport entry points.
