FAAN unveils cashless policy at Abuja airport
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially rolled out a cashless policy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, marking a major step in Nigeria’s push toward transparency, efficiency, and digital transformation in public sector operations.
The initiative, which took effect on September 29, 2025, signals FAAN’s commitment to ending revenue leakages and ensuring seamless operations at all its facilities nationwide.
Under the new system, passengers and airport users will now make payments through electronic channels for services at access gates, car parks, and VIP lounges — eliminating the use of physical cash.
FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said the policy represents one of the agency’s most ambitious reforms to date, designed to strengthen revenue assurance, reduce manual handling of funds, and enhance customer experience across Nigeria’s airports.
Why FAAN unveiled the cashless policy at Abuja airport
Speaking at the official launch in Abuja on Monday, Mrs. Kuku — represented by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade — said the continued reliance on physical cash had for years created inefficiencies, delays, and vulnerabilities in FAAN’s revenue collection systems.
“Effective from September 29, 2025, FAAN began phasing out physical cash at all its revenue points, including access gates, car parks, and VIP lounges,” she said.
“This policy ensures faster, safer, and more efficient transactions, while improving the passenger experience from entry to exit.”
She noted that the cashless policy at Abuja airport would be extended to other major airports across the country in phases, adding that the agency’s long-term goal is to go completely cashless by the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
According to Kuku, the policy not only simplifies payment for passengers but also eliminates leakages that have historically affected the authority’s revenue performance.
“With this rollout, FAAN and the nation will see optimised revenue collection, significant reduction in leakages, and a more transparent financial accountability framework,” she added.
Implementation strategy and expected impact
Under the pilot phase, FAAN’s electronic payment system has already gone live in selected revenue points within the Abuja airport.
Kuku disclosed that the authority anticipates a 50% increase in revenue during the pilot stage and up to 100% growth once the policy becomes fully operational.
She said: “We have roughly about 300,000 motorists passing through our access gates between Lagos and Abuja monthly.
When we expand to car parks and lounges, our revenue will increase significantly. The ultimate target is to ensure FAAN collects 100% of revenue due to the federal government.”
The FAAN boss further stated that the organisation aims to complete its transition to a cashless model within six months, targeting the end of Q1 2026 as the deadline for the full phase-out of cash transactions.
She explained that this initiative also aligns with the federal government’s broader digital economy agenda, which seeks to promote accountability, digital inclusion, and innovation in public financial management.
FAAN’s cashless policy to improve transparency and customer experience
The cashless policy at Abuja airport is expected to transform the passenger experience by cutting waiting times and eliminating the inconveniences associated with cash payments.
With new payment points and self-service systems being deployed, travelers will be able to pay digitally through cards, mobile wallets, and online banking platforms.
“The benefits are clear — a smoother journey from the access gate to the car park, improved security since passengers no longer need to carry cash, and more accountability in our operations,” Kuku said.
Beyond convenience, the system will help FAAN enhance its monitoring and auditing capabilities. By digitising all transactions, the authority can now track revenue flows in real time, identify discrepancies, and improve financial reporting accuracy.
Kuku emphasised that the authority’s long-term plan includes extending the cashless policy beyond Abuja airport to cover all FAAN-managed airports across Nigeria.
This nationwide rollout will be implemented in phases, beginning with Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano airports.
FAAN’s digital transformation and Nigeria’s economic outlook
Industry analysts have commended FAAN for introducing the cashless policy at Abuja airport, describing it as a bold move that aligns with global aviation management standards.
According to aviation experts, cashless transactions not only improve efficiency but also strengthen Nigeria’s credibility among international partners and investors.
The initiative also complements ongoing efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to promote a cashless economy, enhance traceability of public funds, and reduce the risks of corruption associated with physical cash handling.
In addition, FAAN’s policy supports the federal government’s drive toward a digital economy — a vision championed by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
By leveraging technology, FAAN is helping Nigeria advance toward its target of achieving 70% digital inclusion by 2030.
Stakeholders say the policy could also set a benchmark for other government agencies managing critical revenue points to adopt similar measures, thereby improving national revenue assurance and transparency.
FAAN’s Managing Director expressed confidence that by the end of the first quarter of 2026, all airport transactions under the authority’s purview would be fully digitised.
“We are fully committed to this transition. Going cashless is not just about technology; it’s about accountability, transparency, and efficiency. By Q1 next year, cash collections at all FAAN-managed airports will be completely phased out,” Kuku said.
The cashless policy at Abuja airport represents a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector reform journey.
It underscores FAAN’s determination to modernise airport management, improve revenue performance, and deliver world-class service to millions of passengers who pass through its terminals annually.
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