Gridlock erupts at Murtala Muhammed International Airport as FAAN enforces cashless toll payment

Traffic movement around the tollgate leading to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport was thrown into disarray on Sunday following the enforcement of a new cashless payment system by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The abrupt implementation triggered severe gridlock, leaving hundreds of motorists and air passengers stranded as vehicular movement to and from both the domestic and international terminals slowed to a crawl. What is typically a seamless entry process turned into a prolonged ordeal, with some drivers spending nearly 20 minutes at the tollgate for trips that ordinarily take less than a minute.

The congestion forced several travellers, anxious about missing their flights, to abandon their vehicles and seek alternative transport. Commercial motorcyclists, despite existing restrictions around the airport axis, reportedly took advantage of the situation by hiking fares by as much as 200 per cent.

Confirming the development, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said the cashless initiative was introduced to curb revenue leakages and improve accountability within the system. According to him, the policy is in line with the Federal Government’s broader drive toward a cashless economy.

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Agbebire explained that the new arrangement is aimed at blocking extortion, enhancing transparency and boosting the revenue profile of the airport authority. He, however, attributed part of the chaos to motorists who allegedly delayed obtaining or loading their access cards until enforcement began.

“The card itself is issued free of charge, but once it is loaded with N2,000 or N1,000, a maintenance fee of N500 is deducted,” he stated, adding that FAAN had made sufficient access cards available ahead of the rollout.

Despite the explanation, many motorists expressed frustration, accusing the agency of inadequate sensitisation prior to implementing the policy. Some drivers were seen engaging toll officials in heated arguments over failed electronic transfers and delays in payment confirmation.

One affected motorist, Adebayo Awojobi, lamented that he had been stuck in traffic for nearly an hour, warning that the situation could worsen significantly on a weekday when passenger traffic is heavier. He also noted that officials on ground appeared overwhelmed by the volume of users attempting to navigate the new system.

As of Sunday evening, traffic around the airport corridor remained heavy, with commuters calling for better planning and phased implementation to prevent future disruptions at one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs.