You people really think this KWAM 1 won’t fly in Nigeria anytime he wants? Person wey dey converse with Tinubu in this manner ?😂🫵🏽 pic.twitter.com/M9yrd6Z9yo
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) August 7, 2025
Nigerian Fuji legend KWAM 1 has been placed on a no-fly list after allegedly blocking an aircraft at Abuja airport. But as a close friend of President Bola Tinubu, will political connections save him from punishment?
By Nij Martin
In Nigeria’s vibrant political and social landscape, the lines between celebrity, power, and personal relationships are often blurred. Few relationships exemplify this more than the one between Fuji music legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Their public friendship, which includes KWAM 1’s vocal support for the President and his performance at the inaugural ball, has long been a source of public discussion. Yet, a recent incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport has thrown their bond into the national spotlight, raising a crucial question: Will this friendship be a shield against the law?
The controversy stems from an altercation between KWAM 1 and staff of ValueJet airline. Conflicting reports have emerged, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) alleging that the musician attempted to board a flight with an alcoholic beverage, a claim his spokesperson vehemently denied, stating the flask contained “plain drinking water.” The situation escalated dramatically, culminating in the Fuji star allegedly obstructing the aircraft from taxiing to the runway. According to aviation minister Festus Keyamo, video evidence shows the musician “CONSTANTLY moved his position on the tarmac to ACTUALLY BLOCK the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off. This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour.” He described the act as being “akin to a hostage situation.”
The reactions have been swift and decisive. Keyamo, in a powerful demonstration of government authority, has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place KWAM 1 on a no-fly list, a directive that has been met with applause from industry players. Aviation analyst Engr. Chris Amokwu lauded Keyamo for taking an “audacious step towards the retention of industry safety standards.” The minister’s action was not one-sided, as he also criticised the pilots for their role in the incident, noting that “both parties breached standard safety protocol as required by the INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO).” The NCAA has since suspended the pilots and confirmed the temporary blacklisting of KWAM 1. In a move to ensure justice, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, revealed that the agency is also petitioning the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate a legal case against the musician.
The public reaction has been a blend of admiration for the minister’s firmness and a satirical reflection on the power dynamics at play. Controversial musician Portable, a fellow admirer of KWAM 1, was quoted as saying, “K1 wasn’t drinking alcohol, he’s Tinubu’s friend!” The comment, while seemingly a defense, ironically highlights the very perception of favoritism that Minister Keyamo’s actions are designed to dismantle. Indeed, the minister himself stated that he “questioned their sense of justice in only acting against one party… What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander. That is one of the tenets of justice I have preached all my life. I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass.”
This incident is more than a simple celebrity squabble; it is a critical test of whether Nigeria’s aviation laws can be applied universally, regardless of social standing or political connections. With the no-fly order in effect and a potential court case on the horizon, the government is sending a clear message: public safety and the rule of law are not negotiable, even for a personal friend of the president. The outcome of the ongoing investigation will be a significant indicator of the current administration’s commitment to accountability and justice for all.