Gridlock, Missed Flights and Stranded Motorists Mark FAAN Go Cashless Launch Day

The first full day of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) Go Cashless programme on March 1, 2026, brought widespread disruption for motorists and air travellers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

At both facilities, the immediate ban on cash payments for vehicle entry tolls triggered heavy congestion at access gates. Drivers without pre-registered Go Cashless cards were either denied entry or forced to queue for on-site issuance and loading, creating backups that spilled onto approach roads and nearby roundabouts.

In Abuja, regular commuters described scenes of confusion at the NAIA entrance. Many who use the route daily said they had heard of the cashless shift but were unprepared for enforcement beginning precisely at the gate. Attempts to obtain cards on the spot overwhelmed limited registration points, leading to prolonged waits and gridlock.

The situation in Lagos proved more acute. The MMIA toll gate, which serves both domestic and international terminals, saw hundreds of vehicles trapped in standstill traffic. Travellers reported delays of 20 minutes or more for distances normally covered in under a minute. Some passengers, facing the risk of missing flights, abandoned their vehicles entirely and paid sharply inflated motorcycle fares – up to double or triple normal rates – to reach check-in areas. Heated exchanges occurred between motorists and toll officials over unsuccessful digital transfers, slow payment confirmations, and the perceived suddenness of the change.

FAAN officials maintained that the agency had conducted sustained publicity since the contactless pilot phase launched in September 2025, including repeated notices, announcements, and sensitisation efforts urging early registration at commercial offices and other designated locations. In a statement released on March 1, FAAN expressed regret for the inconvenience, acknowledged that a large number of users had chosen to register at the gates that morning, and explained that this surge created pressure on toll lanes and temporary gridlock.

To address the immediate challenges, the authority deployed extra personnel to the access points, increased the number of registration stations to speed up first-time card issuance, and enhanced traffic management on the ground. FAAN appealed for patience and cooperation, stressing that advance preparation with the prepaid card would prevent similar issues on future visits.

The Go Cashless cards, developed in collaboration with Paystack, are issued free of charge. Users load funds (with examples citing minimums of N1,000 or N2,000), subject to a N500 maintenance deduction per load. Toll charges vary according to vehicle class.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), responded publicly to complaints on X on March 1. After making inquiries, he stated that the queues and delays resulted from non-compliance with the new requirement – vehicles held up while motorists obtained cards at the gate. He described the disruption as “a small inconvenience” confined to one day, necessary to achieve smoother, more efficient operations going forward and to eliminate longstanding corruption vulnerabilities in toll collection. Achimugu apologised for the transitional difficulties and encouraged full adherence to minimise future problems.

FAAN reiterated that the policy aligns with the Federal Government’s cashless economy push and is intended to deliver measurable benefits: faster transaction processing, improved revenue transparency, reduced risks associated with cash handling, and a more modern airport environment overall. The programme is set to expand progressively across all FAAN-managed airports.

While the day’s experience drew criticism from affected users – particularly around the adequacy of last-minute awareness and operational readiness – FAAN committed to ongoing monitoring and adjustments to ensure a smoother transition for the travelling public.