Motorists Struggle as Lagos Airport Switches to Cashless Toll Payments

Motorists and passengers faced long delays at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) began enforcing its new cashless payment system at airport entry points and toll booths. The system requires drivers to pay using digital cards instead of cash, a move aimed at modernizing transactions and improving efficiency.

On the first day of implementation, heavy traffic built up as many drivers tried to register for the new payment cards at the toll points instead of getting them in advance. This caused congestion on access roads, leaving travelers and drivers stuck for extended periods.

FAAN acknowledged the delays and said such disruptions are typical during major system changes. To ease the situation, additional staff were deployed and registration points expanded to speed up card issuance.

The cashless policy is part of FAAN’s broader effort to eliminate cash transactions at airport facilities, including parking lots and access gates, and aligns with wider initiatives to promote digital payments across government services.

Officials have urged motorists and passengers to obtain their digital payment cards before arriving at the airport in the future to avoid delays and appealed for patience as the new process takes hold.