Chaos greets FAAN’s cashless policy as Tinubu orders suspension

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) suspended its newly introduced cashless payment policy at airports across the country on March 1, 2026, following widespread disruption and passenger complaints that drew the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

The policy, tagged “Operation Go Cashless,” was rolled out at major airports in Lagos, Abuja, and other cities. It required travellers to use digital payment channels including the Go Cashless Card, E-Tags, VIP Stickers, or bank cards for access and services. However, poor preparation led to long queues, traffic gridlock, and passengers missing flights, as most travellers had not obtained or pre-registered the required cards.

FAAN issued more than 40,000 of the cards within three days in a frantic effort to manage the situation.

The disruption was discussed at a Federal Executive Council meeting, after which President Tinubu ordered the suspension of the policy. The President noted that the scale of passengers missing flights was at odds with the intended objectives of the initiative.

FAAN had said the cashless policy was aimed at reducing cash handling, improving transparency in revenue collection, curbing corruption, and modernising airport operations.

Observers pointed to a pattern of poor policy implementation in Nigeria. Past cases cited include a poorly planned recruitment exercise by the Ministry of Interior in 2014 that led to a stampede and the deaths of at least 15 job seekers, as well as the naira redesign policy of late 2022 which caused widespread cash shortages and hardship across the country.

Aviation officials are expected to review the cashless policy framework before any reimplementation. Stakeholders have called for phased rollout, adequate public sensitisation, and clearer guidelines to avoid a repeat of the disruption.