Motorists faced long delays on Sunday, the 1st of March, 2026, after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria began full cashless payment at the entry gates of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The new system led to heavy traffic around the toll area, with several drivers stranded.
Only vehicles with the newly introduced Go Cashless cards were allowed through the gates.
Drivers without the cards were either asked to turn back or register immediately, which slowed movement and worsened the backlog.
Findings showed that although FAAN had promoted the policy since 2025, many motorists did not realise enforcement would begin directly at the airport entrance.
Some admitted they had postponed getting the required card.
“I have been plying this route every day and I heard about the cashless policy, but I didn’t know it would start from the entrance gate,” one affected driver, John Ameh, said, expressing frustration over the disruption.
In a statement on its official channels, FAAN apologised for the congestion.
The agency explained that the rollout of the Go Cashless Programme at the Abuja airport and Murtala Muhammed International Airport follows the Federal Government’s push for cashless transactions.
READ ALSO: FAAN Ends Cash Payments Nationwide, Airports Go Fully Cashless
FAAN stated that despite prior announcements, many motorists chose to process their cards at the gates on the first day, placing pressure on toll lanes and causing temporary gridlock.
The Authority acknowledged initial challenges but maintained that sufficient time had been given for early registration to prevent such delays.
To ease the situation, FAAN said it deployed more staff to entry points, increased registration centres to speed up card issuance, and improved coordination to restore traffic flow.
It called for patience from airport users, adding that the initiative aims to ensure quicker processing, better transparency, reduced cash risks, and smoother airport operations.
Motorists yet to obtain their Go Cashless cards were advised to register ahead of future visits.