FAAN Launches Cashless Payments at Lagos, Abuja Airports in Partnership with Paystack

Lagos, Nigeria – The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched contactless payment systems at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, under a new initiative branded “Operation Go Cashless.”

The policy, developed in partnership with Paystack, aims to phase out physical cash at FAAN revenue points such as access gates, car parks, and VIP/protocol lounges. It will be rolled out nationwide, with full implementation across all FAAN-operated airports expected by the first quarter of 2026.

FAAN said the move is designed to modernise airport operations, enhance accountability, and boost efficiency, projecting up to a 75% rise in revenue collection as more payment points are integrated, with the broader goal of tripling revenue within one year of full deployment.

At the launch event in Lagos, FAAN Managing Director/Chief Executive Olubunmi Kuku described the initiative as a “landmark step” for Nigerian aviation.

“Effective immediately, we are introducing state-of-the-art cashless payment systems at our revenue points, beginning with pilot operations at Lagos and Abuja airports,” Kuku said. “Our roadmap is clear: full implementation across all airports by early 2026.”

She added that the transition would not only meet passenger demand for seamless digital services but also ensure that “every transaction is electronic, traceable, and secure.”

Ms. Adebola Agunbiade, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, said the partnership with Paystack had provided NFC-enabled contactless terminals for instant payments. She explained that the system would cut down on human handling of cash, reduce leakages, and speed up passenger flow.

To aid the transition, FAAN has deployed trained staff as brand ambassadors at access gates and terminals to guide passengers and demonstrate the new payment systems.

The authority noted that more than 300,000 vehicles pass through the Lagos and Abuja airport gates monthly, while thousands use VIP lounges annually—key areas where the cashless system is expected to significantly improve service quality.