The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN has issued over 100,000 airport access cards nationwide. The move supports the Federal Government’s cashless payment policy at airport tollgates.
FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed this during a briefing on Monday. She explained that motorists rushed to register for access cards after enforcement began.
According to her, about 62,000 cards were issued within three days of implementation. The sudden demand followed confusion caused by the new toll payment system.
Earlier, the government introduced the cashless policy at airport gates on March 1. However, the rollout quickly caused heavy traffic and disruptions at major airports.
Motorists queued for hours at entry points while passengers struggled to meet flights. Consequently, public complaints increased across several affected airports.
In response, President Bola Tinubu ordered immediate intervention to ease the situation. He directed that airport tollgates be opened temporarily for free access.
The decision allowed motorists to enter airports without making payments for several days. As a result, traffic congestion reduced significantly at many entry points.
Kuku admitted that the initial rollout created serious bottlenecks despite earlier awareness campaigns. Nevertheless, she noted that the situation gradually improved after the first few days.
Meanwhile, motorists confirmed that officials vacated toll points following the President’s directive. The absence of checks created smooth traffic flow at previously congested gates.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, also addressed the situation after a Federal Executive Council meeting. He said the President prioritised Nigerians’ welfare after many passengers missed flights.
Therefore, authorities temporarily suspended the new system while developing a more efficient electronic payment solution. The government plans to reintroduce the policy after improving its implementation.
