By Ann Jato | March 5, 2026
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has clarified that the cashless policy introduced by the agency was not suspended but rather a directive from President Bola Tinubu to improve the process.
Speaking at a briefing in Lagos, Kuku said the policy had achieved 99% success but created significant gridlock, particularly at the Murtala Muhammed Airport tollgates. She attributed the congestion to the location of the tollgates, which isn’t ideal for airport users and other commuters.
Kuku stated that FAAN had enrolled over 100,000 users, with 60,000 added in the last three days, and would refine the process, increase user awareness, and engage private sector partners before reintroducing the policy. The President had directed a hybrid approach, allowing both cashless and cash-based systems to operate.
Kuku commended President Tinubu for understanding the challenges and giving FAAN time to improve the process, calling it a “major win” for the agency and the aviation industry.
Kuku explained that FAAN had implemented the cashless policy on March 1, 2026, as directed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), but the move was met with resistance and congestion at airport tollgates. She said the agency had conducted awareness campaigns, including partnering with the National Orientation Agency, to educate the public about the policy.
The FAAN MD noted that the technology behind the cashless policy was working, with four modes of payment available, but acknowledged that more work was needed to increase user adoption and improve the overall experience. She said the agency would take lessons from other regions and engage with private sector partners to enhance the system.
Kuku emphasized that the goal was to make the process smoother and more efficient, ensuring that the cashless policy benefits both airport users and the broader community. The reintroduction of the policy would depend on the completion of the refinement process and ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place.
