Go Cashless: Passengers, motorists stranded at Lagos, Abuja Airport

Massive gridlock and chaos have been reported at the entrance of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

The disruption stems from the full implementation of the “Go Cashless” policy by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which officially phased out all cash payments at airport revenue points starting March 1, 2026.

Long queues of vehicles have formed at the entrance gates as motorists without the mandatory “Go Cashless” cards are being denied entry or forced to register on the spot.

Many travelers have reportedly missed their flights due to the hours-long delays in reaching the terminals.

Despite public awareness campaigns dating back to 2025, many drivers were reportedly unaware that the new system would take effect at the entrance gates.

One commuter, John Ameh, while speaking with journalists, said, “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 driver, 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.”

Meanwhile, FAAN acknowledged the disruption in a statement on its social media platforms, apologising for the inconvenience while urging patience and cooperation.

The Authority said, “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to sincerely appreciate all motorists and airport users as the FAAN Go Cashless Programme officially comes into full operation today at the access gates of the MMIA and the NAIA in alignment with the federal government’s directive on cashless transactions.

“We acknowledge the traffic build-up experienced at the access gates today. 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.

“While some initial adjustment challenges were anticipated, as with any major system transition, the Authority had provided ample notice to encourage early registration and avoid congestion on day one. That said, FAAN remains deeply empathetic to the inconvenience experienced.”

To ease the situation, FAAN said it had deployed additional personnel at the gates, expanded registration points for first-time card issuance, and enhanced on-ground coordination to improve traffic flow.

The statement added, “We appeal for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work diligently to stabilise and streamline the process.

“This transition is designed to deliver long-term benefits — faster processing, improved transparency, reduced cash handling risks, and a more efficient airport environment for all.

“We therefore urge all motorists who are yet to obtain their Go Cashless cards to take advantage of the expanded registration support being provided and to plan ahead for subsequent visits.

“Together, with your cooperation, we will make this process seamless. FAAN remains committed to providing a safe, efficient, and world-class airport experience.”

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