Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two is set to tighten its shift toward digital payments, introducing a cashless system at its multi storey car park from March 23, 2026. The move reflects a broader push within Nigeria’s aviation sector to modernise operations and improve service efficiency.
The terminal operator disclosed that all parking transactions across most levels will now be processed electronically. This includes payments via cards and point of sale terminals, eliminating routine cash handling in the facility.
According to the official notice, “From Monday 23rd March 2026, the Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) moves to a cashless payment system.”
However, the transition will not be abrupt. Management indicated that a temporary adjustment period will allow limited use of cash in a restricted section of the facility. Specifically, “For a short transition period, cash payments will only be available at the rooftop level,” offering a buffer for users still adapting to digital payment methods.
The policy is positioned as a practical response to recurring inefficiencies tied to manual payment systems. By reducing physical cash transactions, the terminal aims to shorten waiting times, ease traffic flow within the car park, and improve overall user experience.
Beyond immediate convenience, the shift also aligns with a wider institutional objective of strengthening transparency and operational control. Electronic payments create traceable transaction records, limiting leakages and improving revenue accountability.
The development comes against the backdrop of recent turbulence surrounding cashless policies at federally managed airports. Earlier in March, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria rolled out a nationwide digital payment system covering access gates, parking, and other services.
That rollout encountered operational setbacks, including severe traffic congestion at major airports in Lagos and Abuja. The disruptions forced a policy reversal, with authorities introducing a hybrid model that accommodates both cash and electronic payments.
Despite those challenges, MMA2 appears to be proceeding independently. As a privately managed terminal, it retains operational flexibility and is advancing its own digital framework without adopting the hybrid approach.
Management also noted that additional payment channels are under development, suggesting that the current system will evolve further in the coming months. This indicates a phased implementation strategy rather than a fixed endpoint.
The terminal itself remains a significant node in Nigeria’s domestic aviation network. Commissioned under a concession model and operational since 2007, it handles dozens of daily flights and supports substantial passenger and cargo traffic.
In practical terms, the cashless parking system represents a controlled test of digital adoption within a high traffic environment. Its success or failure will likely depend on execution quality, user readiness, and the reliability of payment infrastructure.
For now, the directive is clear. Users are expected to prepare for a largely cash free parking experience, marking another incremental step in the sector’s ongoing digital transition.
