The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that it will stop accepting cash at all its payment points nationwide from Sunday, March 1.
In a statement issued on Friday, FAAN said the policy covers access gates, car parks, and executive lounges at all airports under its control.
The decision forms part of the authority’s “Go Cashless” initiative aimed at making airport transactions faster, safer, and fully digital.
Digital payments required
FAAN said passengers and airport visitors must make payments electronically at all FAAN-managed facilities. The requirement covers access gate entry, parking fees, and charges for executive and VIP lounges.
The authority noted that the policy aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive promoting cashless transactions across public services.
According to FAAN, cash payments will no longer be accepted at any of its pay points from March 1, 2026, and all transactions must be completed digitally.
Passengers were advised to obtain their access cards at gates and lounges to use the “Tap and Go” system, designed to speed up transactions and reduce queues.
FAAN assured travellers that the cashless platform is secure and will improve convenience. It added that inquiries can be directed to FAAN information desks or through its official website.
Earlier rollout
FAAN began the first phase of contactless payments in September 2025 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The pilot programme formed part of a phased rollout scheduled for completion across all FAAN-controlled airports by the first quarter of 2026.
The two airports were selected due to their heavy traffic, with more than 300,000 vehicles passing through their access gates monthly. Their VIP lounges also serve thousands of travellers each year.
The early phase targeted major revenue points such as access gates, car parks, and VIP lounges ahead of nationwide implementation.
Operation Go Cashless
The initiative, tagged “Operation Go Cashless,” is being implemented in partnership with Paystack, a digital payments company.
FAAN said the system will modernize airport operations, improve efficiency, and strengthen accountability.
During the pilot phase in Lagos and Abuja, FAAN projected a 50 percent increase in revenue collection, rising to 75 percent as more payment points are integrated. The authority also expects overall revenue to triple within a year of full implementation.
The Paystack partnership introduced contactless terminals at gates, car parks, and lounges, allowing instant payments through NFC-enabled cards.
FAAN said the system will eliminate cash handling, reduce leakages, and improve passenger flow while enhancing service quality in busy airport areas.
