Lagos & Abuja —The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has appealed for understanding from motorists and air travellers after the rollout of its nationwide Go-Cashless payment system led to unexpected traffic delays at key airport access points on Sunday.

On March 1, FAAN began enforcing a new policy that bans cash payments at airport access gates, car parks and executive lounges across the country’s international airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Under the initiative, all revenue points must now accept only digital payments using Go-Cashless cards.

However, the first day of implementation saw a significant build-up of vehicles at toll plazas, with many motorists forming long queues as they attempted to register for the cashless cards at the checkpoint instead of doing so in advance. FAAN described the scene as “temporary congestion” and urged motorists to be patient while the authority addressed the initial bottlenecks.

Responding to concerns raised by travellers and social media users, FAAN said it had deployed additional staff and expanded registration points to clear delays and improve traffic flow. The agency also noted that advance preparation and early collection of the Go-Cashless cards would help reduce congestion in subsequent days.

The shift to a fully digital payment system aligns with broader federal government directives aimed at encouraging cashless transactions and reducing risks associated with handling physical money. FAAN stresses that, despite the early challenges, the system is designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and convenience in airport operations over time.

Passengers and motorists have been advised to collect their Go-Cashless cards from designated points ahead of future journeys to avoid further delays and enjoy smoother access to airport facilities.