Passengers and motorists were left stranded for hours on Sunday after severe traffic congestion followed the enforcement of a new cashless toll payment system by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at major airports in Lagos and Abuja.
The policy, which took effect on March 1, 2026, prohibits cash payments at airport toll gates. Motorists are now required to use prepaid access cards or approved electronic payment options before entering airport premises.
At Murtala Muhammed International Airport, long queues of vehicles stretched from the toll gate toward Oshodi and nearby access roads, leaving many travellers frustrated and anxious about missing flights.
Drivers hurried to obtain the newly introduced prepaid cards, while others parked along the roadside to complete registration procedures, scan QR codes, and fund their accounts.
A similar scene unfolded at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where passengers reported delayed pickups and missed flights. Motorists unaware of the strict enforcement were reportedly turned back and directed to registration points to acquire access cards before proceeding.
Policy Aimed at Blocking Revenue Leakages
FAAN had earlier announced the transition to a cashless system as part of efforts to curb revenue leakages and comply with the Federal Government’s directive on electronic revenue collection across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Although designated points for obtaining access cards were publicised ahead of implementation, many users appeared unprepared, resulting in last-minute registrations that slowed traffic significantly.
Under the new arrangement, access cards are issued free of charge, but users must load a minimum amount—typically ₦1,000 or ₦2,000—to activate them. A ₦500 maintenance fee is deducted upon funding. While Point of Sale (POS) payments remain an option, officials acknowledged that they take longer to process than the tap-and-go card system.
Some travellers criticised the abrupt rollout. One cab driver recounted how gridlock nearly caused his passenger to miss a flight, forcing the traveller to hire a motorcycle at extra cost to reach the terminal on time.
Many motorists argued that although the initiative may improve transparency, enforcing it fully without extensive public sensitisation contributed to the chaos.
FAAN Attributes Chaos to Last-Minute Rush
Reacting to the situation, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, blamed the congestion on last-minute compliance.
He explained that despite prior announcements, many motorists waited until the enforcement date to obtain their cards, creating a surge at registration points.
According to him, the goal is to eliminate cash transactions entirely at toll gates and align revenue collection with federal directives. He added that the registration process is straightforward, requiring users to scan a QR code, register online via FAAN’s portal, and load funds onto their cards.
Despite the initial disruption, FAAN maintained that the cashless toll system is fully operational at the country’s busiest airports. The authority urged frequent travellers to secure and preload their access cards ahead of trips, noting that compliance would eventually ease congestion and ensure smoother entry into airport facilities.
However, as of Sunday evening, many travellers were still grappling with the fallout of hours spent in traffic, raising fresh concerns about the implementation of public sector reforms without adequate transition measures.