By Chinelo Obogo

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said it would go fully cashless by  the first quarter of 2026.

During a press conference at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday , officials confirmed that the transition will be gradual and it be phases, with Lagos and Abuja airports as the pilots before it would be extended nationwide.

FAAN’s Director Commercial and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade, said the plan is to completely phase out cash by the first quarter of next year until it achieves complete coverage.‎

“The Go Cashless initiative gives passengers time to adapt while ensuring the process stays on track. Agencies already using FAAN’s e-tax platform can continue uninterrupted. For others, the FAAN Go Cashless card is available..

Passengers can collect it, load as little as one thousand naira, and use it seamlessly at airports,” she stated.

The Managing Director of the Authority, Olubunmi Kuku who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Henry Abegbire, said: “Today, we are not just launching a payment system. We are reshaping airport experiences and reinforcing our commitment to accountability, transparency, and excellence.”

Kuku said that the ‘Go Cashless’ project aligns with FAAN’s goals for the year. She said: “Every naira due to FAAN will now be collected and accounted for. With Go Cashless, we are ensuring efficiency while showing the world Nigeria’s readiness with global-standard infrastructure.

“By reducing reliance on physical cash, we are creating a transparent, traceable, and secure system. This is a testament to our commitment to national development.”

Speaking on the projection for revenue, Agunbiade said that they anticipate a 50 percent increase in revenue collection at this pilot stage, rising to 75 percent as they integrate more revenue points, with the goal of tripling revenue within the first year of full implementation.

She said, “These additional funds will be strategically reinvested into further infrastructural development across our airports. For airport users, this is about greater convenience, faster transactions, and reduced risk of theft. The policy also promotes financial inclusion by extending services to those with limited access to traditional banking.”