The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has reaffirmed the Authority’s unwavering commitment to a fully cashless payment system across all airport payment points nationwide, effective February 28, 2026.
She restated this position on Wednesday, February 18, during a strategic engagement with executives and members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP). The unions had sought clarification on FAAN’s decision to discontinue cash transactions at airports.
The meeting provided a platform for constructive dialogue and underscored FAAN’s open-door policy, as well as its commitment to inclusive stakeholder consultation.
In her address, Kuku emphasised that the transition to a cashless system aligns with global best practices in aviation management and complies with the federal government directives aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
She cited a Treasury Circular dated November 24, 2025, issued by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and signed by the Accountant General, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi. The circular mandates the cessation of cash transactions in all government dealings following Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to discontinue physical cash collections and payments as part of broader public finance reforms.
“There is no going back on this decision”, the FAAN boss declared, stressing that the cashless initiative aligns the Authority with national financial management reforms while positioning Nigeria’s airports for enhanced operational integrity, improved service delivery, and stronger revenue assurance.
Kuku further explained that the reform forms part of FAAN’s broader strategic agenda to deepen stakeholder engagement by promoting transparency, building trust, and ensuring that unions, concessionaires, service providers, and other partners are carried along in key operational decisions. She noted that institutional reforms and stakeholder collaboration must go hand in hand.
Beyond regulatory compliance, she highlighted the significant benefits of a cashless system to the aviation ecosystem, including reduced revenue leakages, improved transaction traceability, faster service delivery, and enhanced public confidence in airport operations.
Addressing concerns regarding the use of Paystack as a third-party platform, Kuku clarified that Paystack functions solely as a payment gateway for processing transactions. She assured stakeholders that no revenue is paid into any Paystack account, as all payments from Point of Sale (POS) terminals are made directly into designated federal government accounts.
The union delegation was also briefed on the processes and implementation strategies designed to ensure a seamless transition ahead of the February 28, 2026 deadline. At the end of the meeting, union representatives expressed satisfaction with the explanations provided and acknowledged that the implementation framework is both practical and workable.
The move marks another milestone in FAAN’s ongoing reform drive, reinforcing its commitment to modernising airport operations, strengthening institutional accountability, and fostering constructive engagement across Nigeria’s aviation value chain.