The Federal Government has begun consultations with concessionaires to deploy a fully automated access gate system across Nigerian airports. The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development says the initiative will introduce electronic infrastructure capable of eventually eliminating cash payments at airport entry points.
According to Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Tunde Moshood, the move follows a review of operational challenges observed during the earlier rollout of the cashless Access Gate payment system. Authorities believe engaging concessionaires will enable the deployment of modern gate technologies designed to manage heavy airport traffic more efficiently.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, reached the decision after meeting with senior officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and ministry executives to assess the performance of the previous payment system.
Access Gate Reform Follows Traffic Gridlock Concerns
The discussions came after the Federal Government suspended the full cashless access gate payment system earlier introduced at airports nationwide. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the suspension after severe traffic congestion was recorded at several airport entry points.
Passengers, airport workers, and motorists had complained about long queues during the early phase of the rollout. Consequently, the ministry initiated a review to determine a more practical payment system that would combine automation with operational efficiency.
Officials say engaging concessionaires will allow the government to redesign the airport access gate system with improved infrastructure capable of handling higher traffic volumes.
Concession Model Has History at Airport Access Gate
Nigeria’s airport access gate operations have historically involved private concessionaires responsible for toll infrastructure and management. One of the most notable operators was I-CUBE West Africa, a Nigerian technology and infrastructure management company specialising in tolling and traffic systems.
The company managed the access gate toll plaza at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for more than a decade under a concession agreement with FAAN. The arrangement began in November 2008 with an initial five-year contract covering the installation and management of the toll infrastructure.
The agreement was renegotiated in February 2014 for another five-year period, which expired in February 2019. However, tensions later emerged over the operation of the airport access gate system.
Dispute Led to Forceful Takeover of Airport Access Gate
In February 2020, aviation unions forcefully took over the airport access gate toll plaza after the concession arrangement with the company ended. The takeover involved members of aviation unions who displaced the concessionaire’s personnel and assumed operational control of the toll facility.
At the time, union leaders argued that the concessionaire had not been remitting adequate revenue to the airport authority towards the end of the contract period. The unions therefore justified the takeover as a step to protect government revenue.
Union representatives also publicly pledged that managing the access gate internally would generate about ₦100 million monthly for the government. However, available industry estimates suggested the toll plaza previously generated about ₦40 million monthly during the concession period.
The development triggered a legal dispute, with the concessionaire accusing FAAN of breaching contractual provisions, including clauses relating to the right of first refusal in future agreements.
Temporary Hybrid System Supports Transition
Meanwhile, the ministry confirmed that a temporary hybrid payment arrangement will resume at airport access gate locations nationwide. Under the arrangement, motorists will be allowed to pay using both cash and electronic channels while the automated system is being developed.
The hybrid system will take effect from Friday, March 13, 2026. Authorities believe the interim arrangement will reduce congestion and restore smoother vehicle movement at airport entry points.
Motorists who already possess the FAAN Go Cashless Card may continue to use the card for payments. In addition, Point of Sale terminals and other approved digital channels will remain operational during the transition period.
Further aviation regulatory updates are available through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
Automation Expected to Modernise Airport Entry Operations
The Ministry emphasised that the restoration of hybrid payments is only a temporary measure. Authorities say the long-term objective remains the deployment of a fully automated access gate system capable of handling heavy airport traffic efficiently.
According to aviation officials, the planned infrastructure will integrate advanced electronic payment systems and automated barriers similar to those used in major international airports.
Once implemented, the automated access gate system is expected to improve transparency in revenue collection and eliminate operational delays associated with manual payments. Authorities believe the reform will modernise airport entry operations while aligning Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure with global best practices.
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