Chaos at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport as FAAN Rolls Out Full Cashless Payment System

Abuja commuters and air passengers faced massive disruption on Sunday as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) fully implemented its cashless payment system at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA).

Motorists without the mandatory “Go Cashless” card were denied entry, leading to long queues, traffic congestion, and stranded passengers. Many unaware of the system’s enforcement at the airport gates were forced to register on-site or turn back.

Despite FAAN’s public awareness campaigns since 2025, the sudden on-the-spot requirement caught several drivers off guard. John Ameh, a daily commuter, told journalists, “I have been plying this route every day, and I hear of cashless, but I didn’t know it would start from the entrance gate.” Another motorist, Chinedu Okeke, added, “The lines are terrible. Not everyone has a debit card compatible with the system. The technology isn’t ready for such a sudden launch.”

FAAN Responds to Gridlock

FAAN issued an apology on its social media platforms, acknowledging the disruption and urging motorists to cooperate. “Despite the wide publicity, notices, and repeated announcements issued ahead of the commencement date, a significant number of motorists opted to register for their Go Cashless cards at the gates this morning. This understandably created pressure on the toll lanes and resulted in temporary gridlock,” the statement read.

The authority also deployed additional personnel, expanded registration points for first-time card issuance, and enhanced on-ground coordination to ease traffic. FAAN emphasized that the cashless system is aimed at improving processing efficiency, transparency, and reducing cash-handling risks, ultimately creating a safer and more streamlined airport environment.

Motorists yet to obtain their Go Cashless cards were urged to take advantage of the expanded registration support and plan ahead for future visits to avoid congestion.

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