FAAN Issues 100,000 Access Cards Following Airport Tollgate Chaos
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued over 100,000 airport access cards as it scrambles to digitise toll collections nationwide. Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku revealed on Monday that 62,000 of these registrations occurred in a frantic three-day window following the botched enforcement of a new cashless policy. The surge in applications comes as airports remain in a state of administrative limbo, with tollgates thrown open by presidential decree to prevent further travel disruptions.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the suspension of toll collections five days ago after the initial rollout on March 1 triggered “severe gridlock” at major hubs in Lagos and Abuja. Passengers reportedly missed flights as manual enforcement of the electronic system created bottlenecks that stretched for kilometres. In response, the President directed that gates remain open and free for motorists until a more seamless electronic solution is finalised.
FAAN officials have since vacated entry points, leaving barricades open and allowing a free flow of traffic. Motorists in Abuja and Lagos report a total absence of tolling personnel, a sharp contrast to the chaotic scenes of early March. Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo noted that the President acted out of “empathy” for Nigerians who were suffering under the poorly executed transition.
Despite the initial failure, FAAN insists that the cashless policy is essential for modernising airport infrastructure and improving revenue transparency. Mrs. Kuku acknowledged the “hectic” nature of the enforcement but argued that many commuters simply did not believe the March 1 deadline would be upheld. She noted that traffic in Abuja had begun to ease just before the presidential intervention, suggesting the system might have stabilised with more time.
The agency is now using this forced hiatus to “restrategise.” The massive uptick in card distribution suggests that a significant portion of frequent airport users is now prepared for a digital-only entry. However, the Federal Government has not yet announced a new date for the reintroduction of the fees. For now, the Ministry of Aviation is tasked with refining the electronic architecture to ensure that future enforcement does not compromise flight schedules.
The current “free access” period offers temporary relief to motorists but represents a significant daily revenue loss for the authority. FAAN’s ultimate challenge will be reintroducing the charges without recreating the queues. Until then, the 100,000 cardholders remain in possession of a digital key to a gate that, for the moment, has no lock.