The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that it will roll out a fully cashless and contactless payment system at all airport payment points across the country starting from March 1, 2026.

In a Friday post on X, FAAN stated that the project aims to improve transaction speed, increase safety, and provide airport users with a more seamless payment experience.

“Effective Date: March 1, 2026. Pick up your Go-Cashless card at all commercial offices and Access Gates nationwide,” the authority said.

On September 26, 2025, FAAN announced the beginning of ‘Operation Go Cashless,’ a contactless and cashless payment system developed in collaboration with Paystack.

The authorities stated that the cashless payment system will progressively phase out the collecting of physical currency at revenue locations such as airport admission gates, parking lots, and VIP/protocol lounges.

On September 30, 2025, FAAN began implementing the contactless payment system, starting with Lagos and Abuja.

The federal government has forbidden ministries, divisions, and agencies (MDAs) from accepting physical currency for revenue transactions, citing ongoing breaches of e-payment and Treasury Single Account (TSA) laws.

In a directive, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, the accountant-general of the federation (AGF), expressed concern over continued physical cash collection at revenue points despite guidelines contained in earlier circulars.

“In view of the above, it is hereby directed that collections and/or acceptance of physical cash (in Naira or other currencies) for all revenues due to Federal Government is strictly prohibited,” Ogunjimi said.

“All revenue collections, for and on behalf of the Federal Government must be made via electronic processing.”

To ensure compliance, the accountant-general directed MDAs to sensitise staff and the public, and display notices indicating “no physical cash receipt/no cash payment” at all revenue collection points.