The Federal Government is committed to transitioning to a cashless toll payment system at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion at the airport tollgate. A hybrid payment system has been introduced, allowing both electronic card payments and limited cash transactions.
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, noted, “I have observed that the traffic is now flowing freely and this is because of the implementation of the hybrid system that we have decided to adopt.” He emphasized that there is no turning back to cash payments, stating, “There is a Federal Government directive that no agency should collect cash, and we have a limited time to run this hybrid arrangement before migrating fully to cashless payment.”
This shift comes after earlier traffic gridlock at the tollgate, which was largely attributed to the unbundling process associated with the initial rollout of the cashless payment system. The government is now focused on ensuring a smoother experience for travelers.
In a related development, four suspected bandits were arrested near Akure Airport following a coordinated security operation involving aviation security personnel, the military, the police, and local security outfits. The operation was prompted by a distress alert regarding suspicious individuals near the airport perimeter.
The swift collaboration among various security forces has been commended by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which stated, “FAAN commends the swift collaboration among aviation security personnel, the military, the police and local security groups, including Amotekun and community vigilantes, whose joint efforts led to the arrest.”
FAAN is also working to upgrade security infrastructure at airports across Nigeria to enhance safety and security for all travelers. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve airport operations and ensure passenger confidence.
As the government continues to implement these changes, observers are keenly watching how the transition to a fully cashless system will unfold, particularly in light of the recent security operations. Details remain unconfirmed.