Abuja: Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has declared the cashless policy at Nigeria’s airports irreversible, dismissing any suggestion of a U-turn.
Keyamo made the assertion on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, during an on-the-spot assessment of the hybrid payment system newly adopted by the government.
The hybrid payment system was adopted following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to suspend the full cashless implementation.
The minister, however, explained that the government was only considering allowing people who had yet to obtain a Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) cashless card to use cash pending the nation’s full migration to a cashless system. We revisited our approach to prevent revenue loss and ease traffic flow. That prompted the adoption of this hybrid system. now.
“So, those who have the cards already can continue using their cards, as such money goes straight into the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which is the federation account. There is no going back on the cashless system. It is too late for those who think they can frustrate the cashless system by reverting to cash collection. system.
“This nation has passed such a stage. There is limited time left for the hybrid system.” Keyamo stressed. The minister restated the federal government’s ban on cash collection by agencies.
Keyamo disclosed that the government had begun discussions with concessionaires to implement full airport automation.
He reiterated the government’s resolve to stop the corrupt cash payment system at the nation’s airports, which has lingered for 50 years.
President Tinubu had earlier directed the temporary suspension of the cashless payment system at Nigerian airport toll gates due to its sudden implementation.
The rushed implementation had caused severe traffic congestion and long vehicle queues, making it difficult for motorists to complete electronic payments quickly.
The delays led to passengers arriving late at the terminals and missing their flights, creating hardship and operational disruptions at major airports.
