No cash. No queues. Just tap, pay, and fly, a simple line that now captures a historic shift unfolding at Nigeria’s airports. With the launch of Operation Go Cashless, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is not merely upgrading its payment systems; it is reimagining how millions of travellers experience air travel across the country. This bold initiative, which officially took off on September 29, 2025, marks a decisive move toward a fully digital, contactless, and transparent payment ecosystem at Nigeria’s busiest airports, beginning with Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
At the heart of this transformation is a simple idea: removing cash from key service points to make airport processes faster, cleaner, and more efficient. FAAN has introduced prepaid contactless cards and other tap-and-go payment options for a wide range of airport transactions, including gate access, car parks, VIP and protocol lounges, and other ancillary services. Travellers can obtain these cards at the airport, activate and top them up online, or use supported contactless payment platforms to complete transactions in seconds. To make the transition smooth, trained brand ambassadors are stationed at terminals to guide passengers, demonstrate how the system works, and address questions on the spot. It is a modern, human-centred approach designed to ease Nigerians and international travellers alike into a new era of convenience.
Beyond the sleek tap-and-go experience lies a deeper strategic goal. For years, heavy reliance on cash at airports has led to inefficiencies that ripple through the entire aviation ecosystem. Manual cash handling slows down queues at access gates and car parks, creates room for leakages and fraud, complicates revenue reconciliation, and limits real-time financial oversight. FAAN’s digital shift addresses these long-standing issues head-on. By eliminating cash from the most congested points in the airport, transactions are completed faster, financial records become more transparent, and revenue collection becomes traceable in real time. FAAN projects that this move could boost revenue by as much as 50 percent during the pilot phase, with expected gains of up to 75 to 100 percent once the system is fully scaled nationwide. These figures reflect the vast potential locked within more efficient payment channels and stronger financial controls.
The implications reach far beyond the balance sheet. Smoother payment processes translate into shorter queues, less stress for travellers, and improved traffic flow into terminals and parking areas. Nigeria’s international gateways become more competitive and better equipped to handle growing passenger numbers without costly infrastructure overhauls. Airlines, concessionaires, and ground handlers also stand to benefit from the clearer financial data streams that digital transactions generate, paving the way for smarter commercial partnerships and more accountable operations. In an aviation landscape where every minute and every naira count, efficiency is more than a luxury; it is a strategic advantage.
This leap, however, is not without its challenges. A transition of this magnitude must account for inclusion, reliability, and security. While urban travellers may find digital payments intuitive, a significant portion of Nigeria’s population remains underbanked or less familiar with contactless payment technologies. FAAN’s phased rollout, combined with on-site assistance and multiple top-up channels, is a thoughtful way to prevent anyone from being left behind. Yet, the success of Operation Go Cashless will also depend on robust backup systems to handle network downtimes, clear operational fallback plans, and strict data protection protocols to secure sensitive payment information. Addressing these risks upfront is critical to sustaining public trust and ensuring a seamless experience for all categories of travellers.
The global aviation industry has already embraced cashless ecosystems as a cornerstone of modern airport management. From London Heathrow to Changi in Singapore, airports are moving toward fully digital transactions, not just for speed but to enable new layers of innovation from biometric boarding to dynamic pricing and personalised passenger services. Nigeria’s entry into this space through FAAN’s initiative signals a deliberate alignment with international best practices. By building local capacity and integrating homegrown fintech partners, the country is taking a practical path to modernization that reflects both its ambitions and its realities.
Operation Go Cashless is more than a payment reform. It is a statement that Nigeria’s airports are ready to embrace the future, one where technology drives efficiency, transparency reinforces trust, and passengers enjoy a smoother journey from the moment they arrive at the gate. The slogan is simple, but the vision is profound. If FAAN sustains its current momentum with careful planning, inclusive implementation, and continuous innovation, the transformation could set a new standard for airport operations across Africa. For travellers, it means less time fumbling for change and more time enjoying a stress-free airport experience. For the aviation sector, it is a decisive step toward cleaner revenues, better data, and a globally competitive operational environment. And for the country, it is a powerful example of how digital innovation can turn everyday transactions into catalysts for systemic change.
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