The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has recorded a surge in registrations for its new airport access cards following the chaotic rollout of a cashless toll policy that forced President Bola Tinubu to intervene and order all airport gates opened.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has issued more than 100,000 airport access cards to motorists nationwide as authorities work to resolve the fallout from a troubled transition to cashless toll collection at airport entry points.
FAAN Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed on Monday that 62,000 of these cards were processed in just three days as the enforcement of the new policy triggered widespread disruption at major airports. The figures represent a sharp increase in registrations since the cashless system was introduced.
The development came against the backdrop of a presidential directive that has granted motorists free access to Nigerian airports for the past five days.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the gates opened after the enforcement of the cashless regime, which took effect on March 1, sparked severe gridlock and confusion, with long vehicle queues causing many passengers to miss their flights.
Following public outcry over the disruptions, the President intervened directly, instructing that tollgates be thrown open to provide immediate relief to travellers and motorists.
Addressing the situation, Kuku explained that the enforcement difficulties stemmed partly from public disbelief that authorities would proceed with the policy as announced. She noted that while the initial days were challenging, traffic had begun to ease in locations like Abuja before the presidential intervention.
“We’ve registered about 100,000 customers, of which 62,000 were actually done in the last three days,” Kuku said.
“In Abuja, for example, we saw the traffic start to ease up. But despite that, we are an airport. And our ultimate goal outside of safety and security is also to make sure that our passengers and the neighbouring areas have a seamless experience. We’re grateful to Mr President. He was able to step in.”
Following the President’s directive, FAAN officials stationed at airport gates to collect tolls vacated their posts, leaving barricades open and allowing unrestricted access.
The Federal Government has since suspended the new payment system while authorities regroup. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed the President’s directive following a Federal Executive Council meeting, explaining that Tinubu acted out of concern for travellers facing repeated flight disruptions.
“Mr President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that most Nigerians were missing their flights. So Mr President, out of empathy, directed today that we should suspend the present system because it creates a lot of gridlock and Nigerians are suffering as a result of it,” Keyamo said.
The minister added that the President has instructed the ministry and FAAN to temporarily revert to the previous payment arrangement while developing a more efficient electronic solution for airport access nationwide.
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