Chaos erupted at the entrance of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria began full enforcement of its cashless payment system at the airport access gates.
Motorists attempting to enter the airport were caught off guard by the new requirement mandating the use of the “Go Cashless” card.
Drivers without the card were either turned back or forced to join long queues to register on the spot, triggering severe traffic congestion that spilled onto surrounding roads.
Vanguard reported that Monday, the gridlock had yet to ease, with many passengers struggling to make their flights amid the lingering bottleneck.
Although FAAN had publicised the initiative since 2025, several motorists claimed they were unaware the enforcement would commence directly 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.”
FAAN Apologises, Moves to Tackle Gridlock
In a statement shared via its social media platforms, FAAN acknowledged the disruption and apologised to airport users for the inconvenience.
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 address the situation, FAAN said it had deployed extra staff to the toll gates, increased registration points for new users, and strengthened coordination efforts to restore smooth 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.”
Mixed Reactions from Commuters
Motorists expressed frustration over what many described as a rushed implementation.
Musa, a commuter, said, “Unbelievable mess at the NAIA toll gate this morning. First day of cashless transactions. The queues are terrible. How many people have Tap to Pay debit cards? We’re not ready for this. The network is slow; the technology is not there.”
Rita Nwankwo, another airport user, added, “It’s going to take some time for everyone to adjust. But the system needs proper testing before rolling out. People are already late for flights.”
Meanwhile, Emeka Uzo, a frequent airport driver, noted, “They should have made it weeks ago, not sprung it on everyone today. It’s causing chaos and unnecessary stress.”
