Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place renowned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, on a no-fly list following a serious safety breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Announcing the decision via his official X handle (@fkeyamo) on Thursday, the minister also instructed the NCAA to immediately notify both domestic and international airlines of the directive. Keyamo warned that any operator that disregards the order risks withdrawal of their operating licence.
VoiceNews reports that the directive stems from an altercation on Tuesday, August 7, involving Ayinde and two ValueJet pilots, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, which led to the suspension of the pilots’ licences.
Keyamo condemned the conduct of both the artist and the flight crew, stating that his preliminary assessment of the incident suggests a “temporary loss of sanity and control” by all parties involved—one that could have resulted in a major aviation tragedy.
“I have received reports from all the relevant aviation agencies regarding the altercation between the staff and crew of ValueJet and K1 at Abuja airport,” Keyamo said. “Contrary to claims by his aides, KWAM 1 repeatedly changed his position on the tarmac to physically block the aircraft from taxiing toward the runway. This is totally unacceptable behaviour and amounts to a hostage situation.”
The minister added that while there was speculation about whether the artist was carrying water or alcohol, “the issue at hand is the physical obstruction of a commercial aircraft, which is a grave violation of aviation safety protocols.”
He further criticized the pilots’ response to the situation, noting that no aircraft should begin taxiing while an unruly individual remains in its path and without clearance from airport security.
According to the minister, both the musician and the pilots breached International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) protocols, and appropriate sanctions must follow.
Keyamo concluded by emphasizing the government’s commitment to upholding safety and discipline within Nigeria’s aviation space, regardless of the individuals involved.
