ABUJA – On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Federal Government announced plans to appoint Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocols, following his controversial conduct at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on August 5, 2025, as stated by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, per Vanguard and Daily Trust. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will collaborate with KWAM 1 to promote proper security procedures, leveraging his public influence. Keyamo also revealed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will reduce KWAM 1’s one-year flight ban to one month and withdraw its criminal complaint against him, citing his public apology on August 8, 2025, where he expressed regret for the altercation with ValueJet staff and security personnel.
The incident, which disrupted boarding processes and led to the suspension of ValueJet pilots Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, prompted Keyamo to stress shared responsibility among passengers and airline staff, with 1,200 unruly passenger incidents reported in Nigeria’s aviation sector in 2024 (NCAA data). The pilots’ licenses will be reinstated after a one-month suspension and professional reappraisal, per Punch. A planned retreat to train aviation personnel on de-escalating conflicts is set for next week. X posts from @nifemioguntoye (August 13, 2025) praised KWAM 1’s ambassadorial role, while @AviationWatchNG criticized the leniency, arguing it undermines accountability. The move follows the resolution of a related case involving Comfort Emmanson, whose charges were dropped by Ibom Air, reflecting a broader push for aviation sector reforms.
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