The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that cash transactions will no longer be accepted at any of its airport revenue points across the country effective March 1, 2026, marking the final phase of the agency’s “Operation Go-Cashless” initiative.
The policy, which had been in the works since late 2024 and was piloted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja starting September 29, 2025, now extends to all FAAN-operated airports nationwide. Revenue points covered under the new regime include airport access gates, car parks, VIP and protocol lounges, cargo facilities, and other ancillary services.
In an internal memo signed by FAAN Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku and obtained by TVC News, all directorates were directed to ensure that cash collections for official FAAN business ceased by end of February, with full digital transition taking effect from March 1. The directive, according to FAAN, is in compliance with a broader Central Bank of Nigeria mandate requiring the adoption of digital payments across airports nationwide.
Speaking during an earlier engagement with executives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), who had sought clarification on the policy, Mrs. Kuku was unequivocal. “There is no going back on this decision,” she said, adding that the transition aligns FAAN with global best practices and Federal Government directives aimed at enhancing transparency and operational accountability.
Passengers and airport users can now register and obtain their GoCashless cards contactless prepaid cards developed in partnership with digital payment platform Paystack by visiting the official portal at www.gocashless.faan.gov.ng or collecting cards directly at FAAN airport locations. Brand ambassadors have been deployed at access gates and terminal areas to assist users with onboarding, activation, and funding of the cards.
Accepted payment channels under the new system include the GoCashless card, Point-of-Sale terminals, bank transfers, and other electronic payment platforms.
FAAN has projected a 75 percent increase in revenue following full implementation of the cashless policy, with the agency estimating that digitising payment processes will significantly reduce leakages that have long plagued manual cash handling at Nigerian airports. The authority currently records over 300,000 vehicular entrances monthly across the Lagos and Abuja airports alone.
While the policy has been broadly welcomed by aviation stakeholders and frequent flyers, some passengers have raised concerns about network reliability and the readiness of infrastructure at smaller regional airports. FAAN has acknowledged these concerns, assuring the public that it is working with technology and financial service partners to guarantee reliable and secure transactions across all locations.
Henry Agbebire, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said help desks and awareness campaigns have been set up at airports to guide passengers through the transition.
Nigeria becomes one of a growing number of African countries moving to digitise critical transport infrastructure, as the government continues to push for a broader cashless economy under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
For registration and card collection, visit: www.gocashless.faan.gov.ng
