Nigerian authorities have placed renowned fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, on a no-fly list following a dramatic confrontation that disrupted airport operations and endangered safety.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport as the 67-year-old artist was preparing to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos. According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the trouble began during boarding when airport security informed the singer that he could not bring his flask onto the aircraft.
FAAN spokesperson Obiageli Orah stated that KWAM 1 refused to comply, spilling the flask’s contents later identified as alcohol — on the officer. The altercation escalated, and videos widely circulated on social media show the singer standing directly in front of the plane on the tarmac as it began taxiing. At one point, he was forced to crouch to avoid the aircraft’s wings.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, condemned the actions of both the singer and the flight crew, describing it as “a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides which could have led to serious fatalities.” The minister confirmed that, in addition to KWAM 1’s travel ban, the pilot and captain of the aircraft have had their licences suspended pending investigation.
Keyamo emphasized that the incident violated multiple aviation safety regulations, adding that such behaviour could have triggered a catastrophic accident. “Standing in front of a moving aircraft is an extremely dangerous act that cannot be tolerated,” he said.
KWAM 1 is a legendary figure in Nigeria’s southwest, celebrated for pioneering the modern fuji music sound, which remains popular among the Yoruba ethnic group. Beyond his music career, he is a prominent supporter of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), frequently performing at political rallies. He was a headline performer at Tinubu’s presidential inaugural ball in May 2023.
The ValueJet incident has sparked heated debate online, with critics calling for stricter enforcement of airport regulations, regardless of celebrity status. Supporters, however, have urged authorities to consider his long-standing contributions to Nigerian music and culture.
Investigations into the altercation and subsequent safety breach are ongoing. Authorities have not indicated when, or if, the travel ban on the musician will be lifted.
