On March 1, 2026, FAAN switched off cash at every payment point across all its airports nationwide. Access gates, car parks, VIP lounges, executive lounges, and protocol service counters now accept only digital payments.
FAAN named the initiative “Operation Go Cashless.” The agency describes the system as a fully cashless and contactless payment solution designed to make airport transactions faster, safer, and more transparent for everyone.
FAAN first piloted the contactless system in September 2025 at two of Nigeria’s busiest airports, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja. Together, these airports record over 300,000 vehicle entries through their access gates every month. The pilot ran successfully for five months before the March 1 nationwide rollout began.
The CBN Directive Behind This Decision
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had already directed all Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to stop accepting physical cash for revenue transactions. The Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, issued the directive after repeated violations of existing e-payment and Treasury Single Account (TSA) guidelines.
All revenue collections must happen through electronic channels. MDAs were also required to display notices at all revenue points stating “no cash payment accepted.” FAAN’s Operation Go Cashless is its direct response to that federal mandate.
The Paystack Partnership
FAAN built this system in partnership with Paystack, one of Nigeria’s most trusted digital payments companies. Paystack provides the contactless terminals installed at access gates, car parks, and lounges. The terminals handle payments instantly through NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, the same technology behind tap-to-pay on smartphones and contactless bank cards.
At every FAAN-controlled gate, the process works in three steps. First, the terminal selects the vehicle type and displays the correct fee on screen. Then, the driver taps the FAAN Prepaid NFC Card on the terminal. The payment processes instantly with no PIN required. Finally, the boom gate lifts and the vehicle moves through.
Paystack’s infrastructure encrypts every transaction, and wallet balances on the cards carry insurance coverage. The system was also built to handle high-volume traffic and peak travel periods, which addresses one of the biggest concerns at busy airports.
How the Go Cashless Card Works
The Go Cashless card is a prepaid NFC card issued by FAAN. Airport users obtain the card free of charge at any FAAN access gate or commercial office at any of the airports nationwide.
After collecting the card, users activate it online. The steps are straightforward. Visit www.gocashless.faan.gov.ng or scan the QR code printed on the card. Enter your name and phone number to create an account. Verify the phone number with a one-time password (OTP). Then fund the wallet by transferring a minimum of ₦1,000 to the virtual account sent to your phone. A ₦500 maintenance charge applies on each loading. After funding, register the card on the dashboard, and it is ready to use.
For anyone who does not yet have the card, FAAN also accepts POS payments at the gates. However, FAAN’s spokesperson Henry Agbebire has noted that POS transactions slow down vehicle movement at the gates significantly, so FAAN strongly encourages travellers to use the dedicated prepaid card.
The First Day Was Rough, But the Reason Is Clear
The first day of full enforcement, March 1, 2026, brought gridlock to both Lagos and Abuja airports. Long vehicle queues stretched several kilometres at MMIA’s entrance toward Oshodi and at NAIA in Abuja. Some travellers reported missing their scheduled flights. Others abandoned their vehicles at the entrance while rushing to catch their flights on foot.
FAAN had publicised the cashless transition well in advance. Still, many airport users waited until March 1 itself to obtain their cards, creating a surge of on-the-spot registrations that stalled traffic.
Henry Agbebire, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, addressed this directly. “We publicised the cashless policy, but many people waited till the last minute to get their cards. Nobody is allowed to pay cash anymore, so that created the initial rush,” he said.
One frequent flyer at MMIA, Adedeji Rilewan, captured the tension on the ground. “Nobody is against cashless payment, but you don’t introduce a system that prevents people from catching flights. Airports are time-sensitive environments. I had to park my car with my cousins at the gate to be able to catch my flight,” he said.
Agbebire confirmed that FAAN set up card registration canopies near the toll gates to assist travellers on the spot. He added that from the following day, more FAAN staff in branded shirts would assist users with card registration at airport entrances.
Michael Achimugu of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) offered a broader perspective. “Going forward, it is expected to be more seamless than ever before. It also blocks corruption loopholes,” he said.
