Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the suspension of access gate fees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. This measure, which took effect on Friday, January 24, 2025, will remain in place until Wednesday, February 7, 2025.
The decision to suspend gate fees comes as part of FAAN’s efforts to alleviate traffic congestion caused by the ongoing construction of a second runway at the airport. The authority noted that the construction activities have significantly disrupted traffic flow in and around the airport, prompting this temporary relief for road users.
In an official announcement shared on FAAN’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, the agency stated:
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to inform the general public that all access gate fees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport are suspended to alleviate the traffic burden on our airport road users. This suspension will take effect from 24th January 2025 to 7th February 2025.
“We deeply empathize with the inconvenience caused by the ongoing construction and remain committed to ensuring a smoother travel experience for all road users.”
The suspension is aimed at reducing the stress caused by traffic disruptions and ensuring a more comfortable experience for travelers and airport staff. FAAN also urged the public to remain patient and cooperative during the construction period as it works to improve infrastructure at the airport.
Background
The ongoing construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is part of FAAN’s broader efforts to enhance airport capacity and efficiency. However, the project has created significant traffic challenges for motorists accessing the airport.
This temporary suspension of gate fees follows a Federal Executive Council (FEC) directive issued in May 2024, which mandated that tolls be collected at all federal airports in Nigeria. Under this policy, no exceptions were made for high-ranking government officials, including the President and Vice President.
To streamline toll collection, FAAN introduced E-tags in May 2024. These tags grant motorists year-long access to all 24 federal airports nationwide. While frequent travelers benefit from the E-tag system, motorists without E-tags are required to pay cash for entry.
What This Means for Travelers
For the next two weeks, travelers and staff accessing the Abuja airport will not be required to pay gate fees, offering some relief from the ongoing disruptions. FAAN emphasized its commitment to completing the construction project while minimizing inconvenience to the public.
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