Under its “Operation Go Cashless” effort, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has implemented four digital payment methods at airport access gates around the country.
According to the authority, the measure is a component of initiatives to do away with cash transactions, increase operational effectiveness, and support Nigeria’s larger shift to a cashless economy.
FAAN listed the authorized payment methods for drivers and airport patrons in a statement posted on its official đť•Ź account on Tuesday.
Four Accepted Methods of Payment
The authority claims that the alternatives are as follows:
“The fastest and most seamless payment option” is how the FAAN Go Cashless Card is described.
E-Tag: Designed with frequent users in mind, it allows for automatic deductions without pausing at gates.
VIP Sticker: For vehicles that have been given permission to enter.
ATM/Debit Card via POS: Available on-site, but processing times may differ because of issues with the banking network.
According to FAAN, “the following payment options are available to ensure smooth and efficient access.”
The Go Cashless Card is available to airport patrons at its commercial offices and specific access gates across the country, according to the agency. Additionally, it revealed that card administration and registration can be completed online via its webpage.
On March 1, 2026, the cashless policy went into force, prohibiting cash payments at all FAAN payment locations, including executive lounges, parking lots, and toll gates.
First announced in September 2025, the initiative—which was started in collaboration with Paystack—was initially carried out at significant hubs like Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
According to FAAN, the policy complies with Nigeria’s Central Bank’s directives to increase the nation’s acceptance of electronic payments.
The first day of full implementation was characterized by confusion and excessive traffic at the airports in Lagos and Abuja, notwithstanding the expected benefits.
Some passengers reportedly missed planned flights due to delays caused by traffic congestion at entrance gates.
Without prepaid cards, drivers had to rely on Point of Sale terminals, which led to long lines and delayed processing times.
The bottleneck was made worse by network-related problems that affected POS transactions, according to some airport patrons.
However, FAAN insisted that the program will eventually improve service delivery.
The authority emphasized that the system is intended to make transactions “faster, safer, and more convenient,” with the potential to increase income by up to 75% through decreased cash handling and increased transparency.
To reduce waits at access gates, FAAN asked regular travelers to fill their Go Cashless cards ahead of time.
Users of Nigeria’s main airports are currently acclimating to a new system in which cash is no longer king.
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