Cashless Policy to Stay, Says FAAN Amid Airport Turmoil

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has insisted that the cashless payment policy at Nigerian airports will remain in place, despite the confusion and complaints that trailed its recent rollout.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday at the airport, the Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, said the directive remains a key government policy but assured passengers that steps are being taken to improve its implementation following concerns raised by travellers and airport users.

She explained that the decision followed guidance from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development after deliberations at the Federal Executive Council.

Recall that media reports stated that the controversial cashless policy, which led to chaos at the airport, particularly at the aerodrome gate, was reportedly suspended on Wednesday.

According to Kuku, the council did not order the suspension of the policy but directed that the process be improved to make it more efficient for airport users.

“You heard the minister yesterday following the Federal Executive Council meeting where Mr. President has asked us not necessarily to suspend but to make sure that the process itself is improved before it gets rolled out,” Kuku stated.

The authority described the directive as a major boost for both the agency and the aviation ministry, stressing that the policy was not a sudden decision but one that had been in the works for several months.

FAAN further explained that preparations for the policy began last year with extensive awareness campaigns aimed at educating airport users about the transition from cash to electronic payments.