The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced the automation of payment systems across its airports to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability, starting with the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, announced the development on Monday during a stakeholders’ forum with airport concessionaires in Lagos. She explained that the automation drive includes the deployment of electronic cash registers (ECRs), automated toll gates and parking facilities, and a biometric-integrated identity verification system linked to BVN and NIN.

“Today, the environment is slightly porous as people are just using physical ID cards to pass through. We are integrating this with BVN, NIN, and biometrics,” Kuku said.

She urged concessionaires to comply strictly with payment obligations and contract terms, while issuing a stern warning to owners of tankers parked illegally on airport premises.

“We are going to take drastic action. A lot of these tankers don’t belong to airport operators, and their presence is unacceptable,” she warned.

Kuku further revealed plans to re-categorise all concessionaires based on business type, retail mix, and service offerings, in order to correct discrepancies in fees and enforce fair tariffs.

Also speaking at the forum, Adebola Agunbiade, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, noted that 92% of FAAN’s current revenue is derived from aeronautical sources, with only 8% coming from non-aeronautical activities. This, he said, falls well below the global benchmark of a 55:45 revenue ratio.

“We are very far from the global standard. We need stakeholder support to improve non-aeronautical revenue,” Agunbiade said, adding that tariff reviews are underway to address outdated pricing and revenue losses.

The reforms are part of FAAN’s broader move to develop smart airport operations, bolster security, and attract more commercial investment in aviation hubs across Nigeria.