By Muhammad Mamman
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the suspension of the controversial cashless toll-gate system recently introduced at major airports across Nigeria, citing widespread congestion and mounting public outcry over gridlock that paralyzed access roads and disrupted travel plans. 
The directive comes in response to severe traffic snarls triggered by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) “Operation Go Cashless” policy, which banned cash payments at toll booths, car parks, and other revenue points at airports nationwide from March 1, 2026. 
Under the cashless system, motorists were required to pay fees using digital options such as FAAN’s specialised Go Cashless payment card, electronic tags, VIP access stickers, or bank debit cards. But inadequate public awareness, limited card availability, and technical challenges quickly led to long queues — especially along the road leading to Murtala Muhammed International Airport — with many travellers reporting missed flights after being caught in gridlock at toll points. 
The Lagos gridlock, which stretched for kilometres on the airport access road, laid bare the challenges of implementing a fully digital payment regime without sufficient preparation. Some travellers reportedly abandoned their vehicles and trekked on foot toward terminals in a bid to catch flights, while drivers complained of lost income and delays. 
With similar scenes unfolding at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, pressure mounted on the federal government to intervene. In a brief statement issued late Tuesday, the Presidency said Tinubu had instructed the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to immediately halt strict enforcement of the policy and review implementation strategies to ensure travellers are not unduly inconvenienced. 
Government officials had initially defended the cashless regime as a necessary modernisation step to boost transparency, reduce corruption, and strengthen internally generated revenues. The Managing Director of FAAN had noted that the policy aligned with broader fiscal reforms and digital transformation goals. 
But aviation stakeholders and motorists argued that inadequate sensitisation and untested payment systems amplified travel disruptions at a critical hub during busy travel periods. Lawmakers and sector analysts have also called for a phased rollout and expanded public education ahead of any future enforcement. 
In terminating the full cashless enforcement, authorities say they intend to balance technological reforms with operational realities, ensuring that modernisation efforts do not compromise mobility, convenience, or Nigeria’s reputation as a regional aviation gateway.
