Chaos Erupts at Airports as FAAN Launches Cashless Policy

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) implemented a cashless policy at airports effective March 1, 2026, requiring motorists to use prepaid access cards for toll payments. This sudden change led to chaos at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where long queues formed as drivers rushed to obtain the newly introduced cards.

Many motorists were unaware of the full enforcement of the policy and were turned back at toll gates, causing significant traffic delays. FAAN's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henri Agbebir, noted that the congestion was largely due to last-minute compliance with the cashless policy.

The prepaid cards are free but require a minimum load of N1,000 to N2,000, with a maintenance charge of N500 deducted upon loading. The policy aims to block revenue leakages and align with the federal government's directive for electronic revenue collection across ministries and agencies.