President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has suspended the cashless payment system at airport toll gates following extensive gridlock that has led to numerous passengers missing their flights. The decision came after a Federal Executive Council meeting and was announced by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. This move reflects the government's response to public complaints regarding the efficiency of the cashless system, which has proven inadequate for handling high traffic at major airports.

Keyamo indicated that the President was particularly concerned with the welfare of Nigerian citizens, as the ongoing congestion at Lagos and Abuja airport toll gates was causing significant frustration and disruption in travel plans. The federal government aims to revert to the previous payment system while a more effective alternative is formulated. The empathy demonstrated by the President highlights the importance placed on citizens' experience, particularly concerning critical infrastructures such as airports.

This suspension of the cashless system is likely to have short-term benefits in alleviating the gridlock while the relevant authorities work on solutions. However, it raises questions about the long-term strategy for modernizing payment systems within Nigeria's transportation infrastructure and the balance between technological advancement and practical scalability in urban transport systems.