President Bola Tinubu has directed the suspension of the cashless payment system recently introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo announced the president’s directive during a briefing for State House correspondents after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“The president has asked us to go back to the drawing board, suspend the present system, and perfect a system that will work perfectly without putting unnecessary pressure on citizens,” Keyamo said.
He added that the administration aims to implement a decision quickly, even if it requires private sector participation.
“There will be a hybrid system for now,” Keyamo explained. “Those who already possess cards will be allowed to use them, while those who prefer cash will be allowed to do so.
Private sector participants will help us devise means to ensure cashless collection.”
The move follows complaints from passengers and stakeholders that the new cashless system caused confusion and inconvenience, particularly for travelers unfamiliar with electronic payments.
Keyamo did not specify a timeline for the revised system but emphasized the need for an approach that balances efficiency with accessibility.
The suspension signals the government’s commitment to resolving operational challenges at Nigeria’s airports while ensuring travelers are not burdened by sudden policy changes.
