The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has unveiled a new cashless payment system at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as part of efforts to block revenue leakages, improve transparency, and enhance passenger experience across the nation’s airports.
The agency announced that by the first quarter of 2026, all FAAN-managed airports will completely phase out physical cash transactions at revenue points such as access gates, car parks, and VIP lounges.
FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said the “go-cashless policy” will eliminate the delays and inefficiencies associated with cash handling while boosting accountability. Represented by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade, Kuku described the transition as a major step toward modernising airport operations.
“Effective September 29, 2025, we began phasing out physical cash at all FAAN revenue points, including access gates, car parks, and lounges,” she said. “The benefits are clear — faster passenger movement, enhanced security, and improved revenue collection.”
According to Kuku, the card-based system will initially be active at selected FAAN-managed revenue points during the pilot phase. The authority expects to increase its revenue by 50 per cent during this phase, and by as much as 100 per cent once the cashless system is fully implemented.
“Today, between Lagos and Abuja airports, about 300,000 motorists pass through our access gates monthly. That alone gives an idea of the scale of revenue potential. Once the rollout is complete by the first quarter of next year, we expect to double current earnings,” she said.
Kuku added that FAAN’s ultimate goal is to collect 100 per cent of all revenues due to the federal government and ensure every transaction is digitally traceable. “By the end of Q1 2026, we will have completely phased out cash collections within our airports,” she affirmed.
The policy, which aligns with the federal government’s drive for financial transparency and digital transformation, will also help curb corruption, reduce operational costs, and create a more seamless experience for travellers.
