For the second day this week, vehicular movement was hugely restricted at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) following the implementation of the “Operation Go Cashless” policy by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the airports’ tollgates.

In Lagos, vehicular disruption, which began on Sunday, worsened yesterday as motorists spent at least 90 minutes from the Beesam area of the airport to the tollgate, a stretch of less than two kilometres.

This compounded the woes for motorists, international and local travellers, as some of them were seen alighting from their vehicles, opting for motorcycles in order not to miss their flights.

With the new policy, motorists are mandated to pay toll and access fees electronically, rather than with cash at the airport toll points.

Apart from Lagos airport, motorists also faced the same harrowing experience at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

At the Lagos airport yesterday, The Guardian observed that many motorists without the required cards, registered on-the-spot, which further slowed traffic.

It was also observed that FAAN deployed additional workers to the access gate, including some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were conducting on-the-spot registrations for motorists and other airport users.

Expectedly, airport users expressed frustration over “inadequate public sensitisation and insufficient preparation for the transition” by FAAN.

Speaking on the issue, aviation analyst, Dr Alex Nwuba, confirmed that FAAN did not carry out enough sensitisation programmes in the new policy.

He opined that rather than implement a 100 per cent cashless policy instantly, the agency ought to have executed it in phases and dedicated one of the lines to those with cash transactions.

He feared that if the policy was not carefully implemented, it might create more chaos and frustration at the airport.

IN Abuja, chaos and traffic congestion erupted again yesterday at the entrance of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) officially rolled out its cashless payment system at the airport gates on Sunday.

Many motorists were left stranded after being denied entry for lacking the mandatory “Go Cashless” card, now required to access the airport. Those unaware of the new system were forced to queue for registration or turn back.

Despite public awareness campaigns dating back to 2025, many drivers were reportedly unaware that the new system would take effect at the entrance gates.

FAAN acknowledged the disruption in a statement on its social media platforms, apologising for the inconvenience while urging patience and cooperation.

The authority said: “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to sincerely appreciate all motorists and airport users as the FAAN Go Cashless Programme officially comes into full operation today at the access gates of the MMIA and the NAIA in alignment with the Federal Government’s directive on cashless transactions.

“While some initial adjustment challenges were anticipated, as with any major system transition, the Authority had provided ample notice to encourage early registration and avoid congestion on day one. That said, FAAN remains deeply empathetic to the inconvenience experienced.”