Nigeria Enforces Total Cash Ban Across All Airports

A sweeping transformation is currently underway within Nigeria's aviation sector that will fundamentally alter how passengers and service providers interact at the country’s gateways. In a decisive move to modernize infrastructure and financial operations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially declared the end of physical cash transactions across its entire network. This new directive, which aligns with the Federal Government's broader digital economy agenda, mandates that all commercial activities, revenue collections, and official airport charges must be processed exclusively through electronic channels starting from the end of this month.

For the African travel trade, this development signals an urgent need to prepare clients for a fully digital experience when arriving in or departing from Nigeria.

The directive was formally unveiled by Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of FAAN, who emphasized that the era of handling physical banknotes at airport service points is over. According to the internal circulars distributed to department heads and airport managers, the deadline for this transition is set for February 28, 2026, with a full operational shift expected by March 1.

This policy is not merely a suggestion but a strict enforcement order that carries significant weight; any airport official or department found accepting cash after the cutoff date faces severe penalties The initiative is designed to eliminate the operational opacity often associated with cash handling and to streamline the passenger experience through faster, traceable digital payments.

This radical shift is being rolled out under the banner of "Operation Go Cashless," a strategic initiative presented during the recent Commercial and Business Development Stakeholders’ Forum in Lagos. The scope of this mandate is comprehensive, covering every touchpoint where money traditionally changes hands. This includes access gates, car parks, VIP lounges, and other ancillary service areas managed by the authority Travel consultants must inform their corporate and leisure clients that carrying bundles of Naira or foreign currency for these specific airport services will no longer be a viable option. Instead, travelers must be equipped with functional debit cards, credit cards, or mobile payment applications to access basic amenities upon arrival decision to ban cash is rooted in a stern directive from the federal government aimed at curbing revenue leakage and enhancing fiscal transparency. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has categorized the continued acceptance of cash in government agencies as a violation of financial regulations By migrating to a fully digital system, FAAN aims to plug revenue gaps and ensure that every Naira generated is accounted for in real-time. This move is expected to significantly reduce the instances of illicit payments and "touting" that have historically plagued some of the country's major transport hubs, thereby improving the overall reputation of Nigerian airports in the eyes of the international community.

Implementation of this policy will begin in earnest at the country's two busiest gateways: Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

These locations will serve as the pilot grounds for the "contactless" and cashless systems before the protocol is rigorously enforced at regional airports. For travel planners, this means that clients flying into major hubs will be the first to encounter the new strictures. It is crucial to advise travelers to ensure their banking apps are active and their cards are enabled for transactions within Nigeria before they board their flights, as the option to pay cash at the car park or lounge desk will simply not exist.

The transition to a cashless environment also addresses the issue of currency handling for international visitors. The directive explicitly states that the prohibition applies to both local currency and foreign currencies Previously, travelers might have used small denominations of US dollars or Euros for immediate services; this practice is now effectively proscribed in favor of electronic processing. This aligns Nigeria with global best practices seen in modern airports across Europe and Asia, where digital payments are the standard. The move is also expected to speed up processing times at service points, reducing the queues caused by the search for exact change.

While the long-term benefits of this modernization are clear, the immediate transition period may present challenges for the unprepared traveler. The operational shift requires robust network connectivity and reliable Point of Sale (PoS) terminals across all airport facilities. FAAN has committed to deploying the necessary electronic payment devices within a 45-day window to ensure compliance with the federal mandate. Industry observers will be watching closely to see how the infrastructure holds up during peak travel times, but the commitment from the top leadership suggests a zero-tolerance approach to reversion. This is a critical step toward modernizing airport revenue management and safeguarding public funds, marking a new chapter of accountability for the sector.

For the broader African travel industry, Nigeria’s bold step serves as a benchmark for infrastructure modernization. It forces a change in behavior for frequent flyers and necessitates a new level of preparedness for travel management companies. As the February deadline approaches, the message to the market is clear: Nigeria is open for business, but that business must now be transacted digitally. Ensuring that clients are aware of this change will prevent frustration on the ground and ensure a smoother journey through West Africa’s most dynamic aviation market.