Festus Keyamo, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, expressed his apologies to the public for the traffic gridlock that ensued nationwide at airport toll gates after the enforcement of a cashless payment policy. This policy, aimed at streamlining toll collections and eliminating cash transactions, has led to unforeseen inconveniences for motorists and passengers accessing the airports. The minister emphasized the importance of obtaining payment cards to help ease the disruptions that were experienced.

During an award ceremony in Lagos, where he was recognized as Minister of the Year, Keyamo elaborated further on the government's commitment to modernizing the toll collection system. He acknowledged that while the cashless system is meant to enhance efficiency and security, its sudden implementation caught many users off guard. The minister is urging the public to adapt and acquire the necessary payment methods to minimize future delays at the toll gates.

The push for a cashless system at toll gates aligns with broader governmental goals to digitize public services. However, it has raised concerns among citizens about the adequacy of infrastructure and communication that would support such a transition. The incident underscores the challenges faced in implementing new policies and the need for proper planning to mitigate inconvenience to the public, especially during peak travel times at airports.