FAAN Introduces Hybrid Toll Payment System Following Tinubu’s Directive

FAAN Introduces Hybrid Toll Payment System Following Tinubu’s Directive

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has introduced a temporary hybrid toll payment system at airports nationwide following heavy traffic congestion caused by the rollout of its cashless toll payment policy. The move comes after President Bola Tinubu directed the authority to ease implementation challenges to prevent travel disruptions.

FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, told journalists in Lagos on Thursday that the decision followed severe gridlock at major airport toll gates, particularly Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, as motorists struggled to adapt to fully digital payment methods. “He [the President] saw the traffic congestion and directed us to temporarily revert to a hybrid approach,” Kuku said. “This ensures smoother access while we refine the cashless system — it is a win for the industry.”

The hybrid model allows commuters and travellers to pay tolls using a combination of cash, prepaid FAAN cards, e-tags, debit cards, and other electronic options. Kuku emphasized that the arrangement will let FAAN continue its digital payment initiative while still accommodating users who have yet to register or activate electronic payment channels.

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She highlighted that the authority had registered over 100,000 users on its cashless platform between October 2025 and March 3, 2026, with around 60,000 sign-ups occurring in the final three days before the March 1 rollout deadline. The technology reportedly achieved a 99% success rate during initial operations, demonstrating strong potential for adoption once operational challenges are addressed.

Kuku explained that the initial rollout lacked a comprehensive pilot phase due to the pressure to meet the government’s deadline. The additional time granted by the Presidency now serves as an extended pilot period, enabling FAAN to raise public awareness, onboard private technology partners, and enhance monitoring mechanisms to prevent revenue leakages while cash payments are still allowed.

The MD noted that no new deadline has been set for the complete elimination of cash payments. The focus now is on refining the system, ensuring user convenience, and achieving a smooth transition to a fully digital tolling platform in line with global best practices in airport infrastructure management.

FAAN said the hybrid arrangement aims to prevent delays that could cause passengers to miss flights, while also maintaining transparency in revenue collection and improving overall airport operational efficiency.

FAAN Introduces Hybrid Toll Payment System Following Tinubu’s Directive