KWAM 1 Grounded: Minister Keyamo’s Directive

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, also known as Kwam 1, on a no-fly list following an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The incident occurred on August 5, 2025, where Kwam 1 allegedly blocked a ValueJet Aircraft from taxiing on the runway.

Keyamo described the incident as “a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides” that could have resulted in serious fatalities. He faulted both Kwam 1 and the pilot for breaching standard safety protocols required by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Keyamo emphasized that no amount of provocation should make a Pilot commence taxiing without ensuring an unruly passenger is safely removed.

As a result of the incident, Keyamo has directed that:

– No-Fly List: Kwam 1 be placed on a no-fly list pending further investigation.

– Airline Compliance: All airlines, Domestic and International, are expected to comply with this directive.

– License Withdrawal: Any airline flouting this directive risks having its operating license withdrawn.

The NCAA has also suspended the licenses of the two ValueJet Pilots involved in the incident. Keyamo commended the NCAA’s action but questioned why similar action wasn’t taken against Kwam 1 initially.

The NCAA will conduct a full investigation into the incident, and Kwam 1’s no-fly status will remain in effect pending the outcome of the investigation. The Aviation Authority has emphasized the importance of adhering to safety protocols and regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.