Chaos erupted at Nigeria’s busiest airports this week as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) enforced a new cashless toll payment system. The sudden rollout at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport left motorists and passengers stranded in gridlock, with many abandoning vehicles and trekking with luggage to avoid missing flights. Some resorted to motorcycles to bypass the congestion.
FAAN officials defended the initiative, saying the cashless system was designed to block revenue leakages and improve transparency in remittances to the federal government. The agency’s leadership insisted that electronic payments would modernize airport operations and align with global standards.
Reactions have been sharply divided. Supporters argue that the policy is a necessary step toward accountability and modernization, noting that cash-based tolls have long been vulnerable to corruption. Critics, however, accuse FAAN of poor planning and inadequate public sensitization, pointing to the chaos as evidence of a rushed implementation. Passengers expressed frustration at missing flights and enduring hours-long delays, while motorists complained about being denied entry without the newly introduced “Go Cashless” cards.
The crisis underscores the tension between reform and execution in Nigeria’s transport sector. While the cashless policy aims to strengthen financial oversight, its rollout has highlighted the risks of abrupt enforcement without sufficient infrastructure or public awareness.
