FAAN says over 100,000 airport access cards issued as Tinubu orders tollgates opened after disruptions caused by the cashless policy rollout

Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, on Monday disclosed that more than 100,000 airport access cards have been issued to motorists nationwide as part of efforts to implement the Federal Government’s cashless policy at airport tollgates.

Also read: FAAN adjusts toll policy after traffic chaos

Kuku revealed that about 62,000 of the airport access cards were issued within just three days of enforcing the new payment system, which initially caused major disruptions at airports across the country.

The policy rollout triggered severe congestion at entry points to major airports, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, as long queues of vehicles formed and several passengers struggled to catch their flights.

Following widespread public outcry, President Bola Tinubu directed that airport tollgates be opened temporarily, allowing motorists free access while authorities review the implementation strategy.

Speaking on the development, Kuku acknowledged that the early enforcement phase created significant bottlenecks despite extensive public awareness campaigns.

“In the implementation of the cashless policy, it became quite hectic because many commuters and passengers did not believe enforcement would begin on March 1.

It created a huge bottleneck during the first few days, but we started to see the situation ease,” she said.

Kuku added that registration for airport access cards had risen sharply since the policy was introduced, with thousands of motorists enrolling within a short period.

She noted that traffic conditions in Abuja had already begun to improve before the temporary suspension of the system.

Despite the progress, Kuku emphasised that ensuring a seamless passenger experience remains a priority for the authority. She also expressed appreciation to the President for intervening promptly to address the disruption.

Field observations showed that FAAN officials previously stationed at airport gates to collect tolls vacated the entry points after the directive, leaving the barricades open and allowing vehicles to pass freely.

A motorist identified as Idris said traffic had moved without interruption since the order was issued.

“I have been passing through the tollgate for about five days now and there has been no FAAN official on the ground. I think they are restrategising,” he said.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that traffic flowed smoothly at the tollgates following the suspension, a sharp contrast to the earlier gridlock that accompanied the introduction of the cashless system.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, later confirmed the presidential directive while briefing State House correspondents after a Federal Executive Council meeting.

“Mr President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that many were missing their flights.

Out of empathy, he directed that the present system be suspended because it created significant gridlock,” Keyamo said.

Also read: FAAN cashless payment policy sparks chaos in Lagos, Abuja

He added that the government would temporarily revert to the previous payment arrangement while the ministry and FAAN develop a more efficient electronic solution for airport access nationwide.