NAAPE Urges NCAA To Reinstate Suspended ValueJet Pilots’ Licences Amid KWAM 1 Controversy.
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to lift the suspension of two ValueJet pilots, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, following a high-profile incident involving Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1. The suspensions stem from a security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on 5 August 2025, which disrupted a Lagos-bound ValueJet flight.
The incident began when KWAM 1, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s music scene, was observed drinking from a flask during boarding. Suspecting the contents to be alcohol, which is prohibited on aircraft, a flight attendant requested that he surrender the flask. KWAM 1 refused, claiming it contained prescribed medication, and reportedly became agitated, escalating the situation by moving to the front of the aircraft to obstruct its departure. This prompted the crew to attempt to deboard him for violating aviation safety rules. However, the pilots commenced departure procedures without ensuring the obstruction was fully resolved, an action the NCAA deemed a serious breach of safety protocols.
On 6 August 2025, the NCAA announced the immediate suspension of the pilots’ licences, citing their failure to adhere to mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols, which endangered ground personnel and other airport users. The authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stated that the suspensions would remain in place pending a full investigation.
NAAPE, led by President Galadima Abednego, has condemned the NCAA’s decision, arguing that the pilots were unfairly penalised for an incident primarily caused by KWAM 1’s unruly behaviour. In a statement on 9 August 2025, Abednego called for a transparent and unbiased investigation, urging the NCAA to reinstate the pilots’ licences. “The pilots were placed in an impossible situation,” he said, highlighting the need for accountability on all sides.
The controversy has also drawn attention to KWAM 1’s actions, with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirming that the musician’s conduct contributed to the breach. On 7 August 2025, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo announced that KWAM 1 had been placed on a temporary no-fly list, with all airlines instructed to comply or face penalties. Keyamo described the incident as a “temporary loss of sanity and control,” noting that the musician’s actions on the tarmac resembled a hostage situation.
Public reaction has been mixed, with some praising the NCAA’s swift action to uphold safety standards, while others, including NAAPE, argue that the pilots are being scapegoated. KWAM 1 issued a public apology on 9 August 2025 to the President, the Aviation Minister, and his fans, acknowledging his role in the incident. However, online discussions have questioned whether an apology should exempt him from legal consequences, with many calling for equal treatment under the law.
As the NCAA’s investigation continues, the incident has sparked a broader debate about passenger conduct, aviation safety, and the fair treatment of airline crew. NAAPE’s plea for the pilots’ reinstatement underscores the tension between enforcing regulations and addressing the complexities of high-pressure situations involving prominent figures. The outcome of the investigation is expected to set a precedent for handling similar incidents in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
