THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has clarified that the appointment of Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) as an ambassador for airport security protocol is a voluntary service, not a salaried position.
In a post on his X handle today, Keyamo said the move was part of corrective measures following KWAM 1’s widely publicized misconduct at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on August 5, 2025, where he attempted to block a moving aircraft.
He likened the role to community service, explaining that it is common worldwide for repentant offenders to publicly campaign against the very infractions they committed.
“It is not paid for; it is voluntary. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, when people hear the word ‘ambassador,’ they assume it’s a high-ranking position with perks. That is not the case here,” he stated, adding that similar corrective appointments had been made by past governments.
Following public backlash over perceived selective justice—especially when compared to the case of Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger jailed for alleged unruly conduct—the Federal Government reviewed KWAM 1’s punishment.
His indefinite flight ban was reduced to one month, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) withdrew its criminal complaint against him after he issued a public apology.
The August 5 incident, caught on video, showed KWAM 1 standing in front of a ValueJet aircraft and allegedly assaulting an airport official.
In his apology, he admitted fault, citing a misunderstanding related to carrying water for health reasons, and asked for forgiveness from the President, aviation authorities, airline staff, and fans.
As part of the review, the NCAA will also restore the licences of ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba after a one-month suspension.
Keyamo stressed that these decisions were taken on compassionate grounds and not under political pressure, noting that both passengers and staff acted improperly in recent high-profile aviation incidents.
He also directed aviation agencies to hold a retreat next week to retrain personnel on handling disruptive passengers and defusing tense situations.