The Nigerian government has officially named Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocols following a widely publicized airport incident.
This announcement came after KWAM 1 showed remorse for his conduct during an incident on August 5, 2025, aboard a ValueJet flight at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, where he was seen defying aviation security rules by drinking from a flask (suspected to contain alcohol) and obstructing the aircraft’s takeoff.
In a statement on August 13, 2025, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reduced KWAM 1's flight ban from six months to one month. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will also collaborate with KWAM 1 to engage him as an ambassador to promote proper airport security awareness and compliance across Nigerian airports.
Keyamo emphasized that this decision was taken on compassionate grounds after KWAM 1’s demonstration of remorse. The minister also disclosed that the NCAA would withdraw the earlier criminal complaints filed against the Fuji star with the police.
The Minister stressed that the government remains firmly committed to aviation safety and security but chose to resolve the matter compassionately, distancing the decision from any political or biased considerations.
The August 5 incident had sparked significant public attention after KWAM 1 refused to surrender the flask, insisting it contained prescribed medication, and subsequently attempted to block the plane’s departure. Video footage showed him dodging the aircraft's wing as it prepared for takeoff, violating airline safety regulations and prompting the initial six-month ban on his domestic and international flights from Nigerian airports.
This new role as aviation security ambassador positions KWAM 1 to help raise awareness of airport safety protocols and encourage compliance among travelers, leveraging his public influence for positive impact in Nigeria’s aviation sector.