Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has explained that the engagement of Fuji icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocol will be a voluntary role without financial remuneration.
In a statement on his official X account on Wednesday, Keyamo said the clarification became necessary after public speculation about the nature of the position, which followed KWAM 1’s controversial attempt to block a moving aircraft at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on August 5, 2025. He likened the role to community service, a common global practice where a repentant offender publicly campaigns against the conduct for which they were penalised.
“It is not paid for, and it is a voluntary service,” Keyamo stressed. “Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some assume that once you hear the word ‘ambassador,’ it is a big position with perks. No, it is for free.” He noted that similar roles had been given to repentant individuals by previous administrations.
The Federal Government had earlier announced KWAM 1’s appointment to promote proper airport conduct, but the move sparked backlash from Nigerians, especially in light of the recent case of Comfort Emmanson, a passenger accused of disruptive behaviour aboard an Ibom Air flight who was arrested, arraigned, and remanded before her eventual discharge by a Lagos court.
Following appeals from prominent individuals and the singer’s public apology, Keyamo said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would reduce KWAM 1’s indefinite flight ban to one month and withdraw its criminal complaint. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will also collaborate with him in his new public awareness role.
KWAM 1, in a video statement, admitted fault and apologised to President Bola Tinubu, Keyamo, the pilot, airline staff, passengers, and fans. He attributed the incident to a misunderstanding over a water container he carried for medical reasons, saying his doctor had advised regular hydration due to dehydration concerns.
The August 5 episode involved a ValueJet Airlines aircraft preparing to taxi, with viral footage showing KWAM 1 standing in front of the plane and allegedly assaulting an airport official. He initially faced an indefinite flight ban, and a petition was filed against him.
As part of the review, Keyamo also announced that the flight licences of ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, suspended after the incident, would be reinstated after one month.
The minister said both the KWAM 1 and Emmanson cases revealed lapses in handling disruptive passenger situations, prompting him to direct all aviation agencies to hold a retreat next week to retrain personnel on de-escalation tactics.
“These decisions were taken purely on compassionate grounds,” Keyamo stated. “Government will never bow to base sentiments, politically motivated views, or flawed legal opinions when our laws are clearly breached.”
What you should know
The appointment of KWAM 1 as an unpaid airport protocol ambassador comes after his apology for obstructing a ValueJet aircraft in Abuja. His flight ban has been reduced to one month, and criminal charges have been dropped.
The incident has stirred debate over perceived double standards, given the harsher initial treatment of Comfort Emmanson in a separate disruptive passenger case. Both events have led the government to call for retraining of aviation staff to better manage similar incidents.
