Cashless Payment System At Nigerian Airports Will Continue

Cashless Payment System At Nigerian Airports Will Continue – FAAN Insists
FAAN says Federal Executive Council only ordered improvements, not policy cancellation.
Authority continues adjustments to ensure smoother experience for airport users nationwide

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has said the cashless payment system introduced at airports across the country will remain in place.

The Managing Director of the authority, Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the airport on Thursday, explaining that the policy is part of a Federal Government directive and has not been cancelled.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that she said the authority is already addressing the challenges passengers experienced during the early stage of the rollout to ensure smoother operations for airport users.

According to her, the directive to introduce the policy followed consultations involving the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Executive Council.

Kuku clarified that the council did not suspend the system as widely reported but instructed the agency to improve its implementation so travellers can have a better experience.

There had been reports that the cashless payment policy was halted following difficulties recorded at some airport entry points, particularly at aerodrome gates where several passengers struggled to complete payments.

However, Kuku explained that the Federal Executive Council only directed the authority to review and adjust the process before a full rollout, rather than stopping the policy.

She also noted that the transition to electronic payment at airports did not begin abruptly, stressing that preparations had started months before implementation.

According to her, the authority carried out awareness campaigns to educate travellers and airport users about the shift from cash transactions to digital payment methods.

Kuku added that the campaign included public communication efforts last year through the National Orientation Agency and other information channels.

The FAAN boss further explained that the policy followed a directive approved by the Federal Government through the Federal Executive Council.

She said the authority had earlier proposed a gradual implementation process but was later given a specific timeline to commence the rollout.

FAAN also revealed that it initially recommended a transition arrangement that would allow both cash and electronic payments to operate simultaneously while travellers adjusted to the new system.

While reaffirming support for the policy, the authority commended President Bola Tinubu for reviewing how government policies are introduced and implemented.

According to FAAN, allowing room for improvements before full enforcement demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the system functions effectively for airport users.

Cashless Payment System At Nigerian Airports Will Continue – FAAN

The authority maintained that it will continue working on improvements to the payment process while keeping the cashless payment policy operational at airports nationwide.