The news
- Paystack and FAAN introduce tap-to-pay NFC cards at Lagos and Abuja airports.
- The system enables drivers to pay airport access fees with a simple card tap.
- Users can register, fund their wallets, and activate cards through a portal or by scanning a QR code.
- A national rollout is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Paystack, in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has launched a tap-to-pay NFC card system for collecting access fees at Lagos and Abuja airports. The initiative, introduced on August 28, 2025, allows drivers to make payments with a single tap of a prepaid card at airport gates.
The new system streamlines the payment process for accessing airport terminals, eliminating the need for cash transactions. Once the driver taps the card on a terminal, the appropriate gate fee is automatically deducted, and the barrier opens, significantly reducing queue times.
To use the system, drivers can scan a QR code or visit a dedicated FAAN portal to register their phone number, verify with an OTP, and fund a virtual wallet with a minimum of ₦1,000. After funding, they can link their card and start using it for quick, contactless entry.
FAAN has branded the effort “Operation Go Cashless,” starting with pilot programmes in Lagos and Abuja before expanding to other airports nationwide. The agency aims to complete the national rollout by the end of 2025.
This move marks a significant step in FAAN’s push to digitise its infrastructure and improve service delivery across Nigeria’s airports. In June 2025, Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of FAAN, announced that a broader automation strategy was in place to enhance parking, toll payments, and lease agreements.
She added that only 8% of FAAN’s revenue came from non-aeronautical sources, a gap it hopes to bridge by diversifying income through improved digital services. By leveraging fintech partners like Paystack, FAAN aims to enhance transparency and reduce cash-related inefficiencies.
Paystack provides the backend infrastructure for real-time processing, including terminals, secure payments, and support services.
As Nigeria transitions towards a cashless economy, initiatives like the FAAN-Paystack NFC card are expected to enhance operational efficiency, user convenience, and financial accountability at public facilities.
