No More Cash at Nigerian Airports: FAAN Goes Fully Digital From March 1

FAAN

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has announced that from March 1, 2026, all payments across Nigerian airports will be fully cashless and contactless. This applies nationwide, not just Lagos or Abuja.

If you’re used to handing over cash at the airport gate or paying with physical notes for parking, that era is officially ending. So yes, from next month, “cash only” will no longer be an option inside Nigerian airports.

From March 1st, no physical cash at airport access gates, no cash payments at car parks, no cash at VIP or protocol lounges and all revenue payments must be processed electronically.

FAAN says airport users can pick up a Go-Cashless card at commercial offices and access gates nationwide. The goal? Faster transactions, improved safety, and a more seamless airport experience.

This Didn’t Start Today

This move is part of a wider reform that began in 2025.

On September 26, 2025, FAAN launched “Operation Go Cashless” in partnership with Paystack, one of Nigeria’s leading fintech companies.

By September 30, implementation had already begun in Lagos and Abuja as pilot phases. Now, the policy is being rolled out nationwide. This shows that FAAN has been testing the waters before taking the big leap.

Why the Sudden Urgency?

The decision is also tied to a federal directive.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, had earlier warned ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) against collecting physical cash for government revenue.

Despite existing Treasury Single Account (TSA) policies and e-payment guidelines, some agencies were still accepting cash. The new directive clearly prohibits that.

In simple terms; If money is being collected on behalf of the Federal Government, it must be done electronically. FAAN is aligning with that national policy.

What This Means for You

If you are a frequent traveler, an airport driver, a logistics operator, a business owner inside the airport; you need to prepare for a fully digital payment system.

This means having access to electronic payment methods and understanding how the Go-Cashless system works.

Let’s be honest; if properly implemented, this could improve airport operations significantly. No more arguments over change. No more searching for smaller notes.

Digital records reduce revenue leakages and unofficial collections. Less physical cash reduces theft risks and internal manipulation. Most international airports already operate largely cashless systems. This move positions Nigeria closer to global best practices.

But There Are Questions

While the idea sounds progressive, Nigerians will naturally ask:

• What happens when the network fails?

• What if the payment platform goes down?

• Will there be adequate support staff during the transition?

• How will people without digital access cope?

The success of this policy will depend less on the announcement and more on execution.

If FAAN ensures stable systems, proper sensitisation, and quick troubleshooting, this could be a major win. If not, frustration could build quickly at airport gates.