The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced the end of VIP privileges at airport tollgates, saying the practice has significantly reduced government revenue.
Keyamo said the move forms part of the reinstated cashless and hybrid payment policy at Nigerian airports.
Speaking during an inspection at the tollgate of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the minister said a large portion of toll revenue had been lost due to exemptions granted to VIPs.
“We must not do VIP here again because half of our revenue goes to VIP,” he said.
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According to him, the culture of entitlement has become widespread in Abuja.
“Everybody is a big man in Abuja. There is hardly anybody you see who doesn’t have ‘FG’ printed on their business card,” he added.
Keyamo reiterated that the Federal Government intends to fully implement a cashless payment system at airport access gates.
He said the government directive prohibits federal agencies from collecting cash directly.
“There is no going back on the cashless system,” the minister said.
He explained that the current hybrid system is only temporary while authorities transition to a fully digital payment structure.
The minister revealed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given him a deadline to implement the cashless system.
“At the last Federal Executive Council meeting, Mr. President gave me a deadline to go fully cashless,” Keyamo said.
He warned that he would hold officials accountable for delays in implementing the policy.
Keyamo said he had decided to personally supervise the implementation of the hybrid system rather than leave it entirely to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
He added that the measure is aimed at improving transparency and preventing revenue leakages at airport tollgates.
