Traffic congestion and confusion marred operations at the entrance of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday following the official rollout of a mandatory cashless payment system by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Motorists without the newly required “Go Cashless” card were denied entry into the airport premises, leading to long queues, delays, and frustration among passengers and drivers alike. Many who were unaware that the policy would take immediate effect at the entrance gates were forced to either register on the spot or turn back.

As of Monday, gridlock reportedly persisted, leaving several passengers stranded and scrambling to make their flights.

Motorists Caught Off Guard

Despite FAAN’s awareness campaigns dating back to 2025, numerous drivers claimed they did not realise the system would be enforced at the airport gates.

John Ameh, a regular commuter, said he had heard about the cashless initiative but did not know it would apply at the entrance point.

Another driver, Chinedu Okeke, criticised the rollout, noting that not all motorists possess debit cards compatible with the system. He described the launch as sudden and said the supporting technology appeared unprepared for the volume of users.

Similar sentiments were echoed by other airport users, who cited slow network connections, long queues, and insufficient preparation as key issues on the first day of implementation.

FAAN Apologises, Deploys Extra Personnel

In response to the disruption, FAAN issued a public apology via its social media platforms, acknowledging the traffic build-up and inconvenience caused.

The Authority stated that although extensive notices and announcements were made ahead of the rollout, many motorists chose to register for their Go Cashless cards at the gates on the first day, which placed pressure on toll lanes and triggered temporary gridlock.

FAAN explained that while initial adjustment challenges were anticipated, it had provided ample notice to encourage early registration.

To ease congestion, the agency said it had:

• Deployed additional personnel at access gates

• Expanded on-site registration points for first-time users

• Strengthened on-ground coordination to improve traffic flow

The Authority urged motorists who have yet to obtain their cards to take advantage of the expanded registration support and plan for future visits.

FAAN maintained that the transition aims to deliver long-term benefits, including faster processing, improved transparency, reduced cash-handling risks, and enhanced operational efficiency at Nigeria’s airports.

Mixed Reactions from Commuters

Reactions from airport users ranged from frustration to cautious optimism.

Musa, a commuter, described the first day as chaotic, questioning the readiness of the infrastructure and pointing to slow network performance.

Rita Nwankwo acknowledged that adjustment would take time but stressed the need for proper system testing before full implementation, especially given the time-sensitive nature of air travel.

Frequent airport driver Emeka Uzo argued that the system should have been enforced gradually before being made fully mandatory, noting that the abrupt rollout caused unnecessary stress for motorists and passengers.

A Rocky Start to a Digital Transition

While FAAN insists the cashless programme is a step toward modernising airport operations, its first-day implementation at NAIA highlights the challenges that often accompany large-scale policy shifts — particularly when public readiness and technological infrastructure are called into question.

With congestion still lingering, the coming days will test how quickly authorities can stabilise the process and restore confidence among airport users.