FAAN's Cashless Toll Policy Causes Traffic Chaos at Airports

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) implemented a cashless toll payment policy at major airports in Lagos and Abuja, effective March 1, 2026. This policy mandates that motorists use prepaid access cards for entry at toll gates, eliminating cash transactions.

On Sunday, the rollout resulted in severe traffic congestion, with long queues forming at toll gates as drivers scrambled to obtain the new prepaid cards. Many motorists were unaware of the strict enforcement and were turned away at the toll gates, leading to frustration among travelers who missed flights.

The prepaid cards are issued free of charge, but users must load a minimum amount, typically between 1,000 to 2,000 Naira, with a 500 Naira maintenance charge deducted upon loading. FAAN aims to curb revenue leakage and align with the federal government's directive for electronic revenue collection.

Despite the initial hiccups, FAAN encourages frequent users to obtain the prepaid cards in advance to ensure smoother access to airport facilities.