President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate but temporary suspension of the cashless policy recently introduced at airport gates nationwide by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The directive was issued during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday following widespread traffic congestion triggered by the new payment system, which led to passengers missing flights and spending extended hours in gridlock.
According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the President ordered the suspension out of compassion for affected members of the public.
“Mr President directed that a more seamless system should be developed as quickly as possible to eliminate the use of cash. He also directed that a public-private partnership should be considered in this regard,” Keyamo stated.
He explained that FAAN has been instructed to immediately revert to the former payment system while still accepting payments from those who have already obtained access cards under the cashless regime.
The minister added that this hybrid arrangement will remain in place pending the development and deployment of a more efficient and user-friendly cashless system at airport gates across the country.
