Festus Keyamo has reiterated that Nigeria’s airports will eventually operate under a fully cashless payment system, stating that the federal government will not reverse the policy even though a temporary hybrid payment method is currently in use.
The Minister of Aviation made the statement during an inspection visit to the tollgate at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where authorities are presently testing a hybrid system that accepts both cash and electronic payments.
Keyamo clarified that the arrangement is only a short-term solution while preparations are being finalised for a fully automated payment platform.
He explained that the government intends to completely remove cash transactions from revenue points at Nigerian airports and has instructed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure that digital payments are cheaper than cash payments so travellers will be encouraged to adopt them.
According to the minister, the move follows a federal government directive that prohibits government agencies from collecting cash directly. He said: “There is no going back on the cashless system. For those who think they can frustrate the cashless system because they prefer the traditional cash collection method, we have passed that stage.”
Keyamo added: “In fact, there is a federal government directive on it saying that no federal agency should ever collect cash. So we have very limited time to do this hybrid system.”
He also disclosed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given him a strict timeline to ensure that airports across the country transition to a completely cashless system.
He said: “We are going to go cashless. In fact, at the last Federal Executive Council meeting, Mr. President gave me a deadline. He was very clear that I have a deadline.”
Keyamo continued: “He said, Minister of Aviation, you have a deadline to go fully cashless and the moment Mr. President pushes me, I will also push those under me.”
The minister warned that officials in charge of implementing the policy will be held responsible if the transition does not happen on schedule. “Before Mr. President sacks me, I will sack other people too,” he said.
Keyamo further explained that although FAAN had initially been in charge of implementing the payment system, he has now taken direct control of the process.
He said: “Before now, I left implementation fully to FAAN and the nitty-gritties were worked out by FAAN, but as the Minister, I take full responsibility and I have to take full control.”
He concluded by noting that the hybrid payment model currently operating at the airport is only a temporary measure while the government completes the transition to a fully digital payment structure across Nigeria’s airport facilities.