Barely a week after the heated altercation between popular Nigerian musician, Wasiu Ayinde, better known as KWAM1, and domestic carrier ValueJet, the federal government’s decision to suspend the airline’s pilots has sparked sharp divisions among aviation stakeholders.
Incident Overview
On August 5, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, KWAM1 was reportedly drinking from a flask aboard a ValueJet aircraft when a flight attendant, suspecting the content was alcohol, requested that he surrender it. The musician declined, claiming it contained doctor-prescribed medication.
The disagreement escalated, and KWAM1 allegedly moved to the front of the aircraft to prevent its departure. In a video obtained by Vanguard, he was seen obstructing the aircraft while ground personnel attempted to engage him. At one point, KWAM1 was observed dodging the wing as the plane prepared for takeoff — a clear breach of aviation safety protocols.
Regulatory Action
Following the incident, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended the licences of the pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba. The NCAA stated that their conduct endangered ground staff and other airport users, violating both national and international aviation safety standards. The suspension will remain in effect pending a full investigation.
Pilots and Engineers Condemn Suspension
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), through its President, Mr. Galadima Abednego, criticised the NCAA’s decision as excessively harsh, noting that both pilots had unblemished safety records prior to the incident. Abednego argued that the blame should rest solely on KWAM1 for his “crude, unruly behaviour and arrogance,” and called for his prosecution to deter future misconduct.
NAAPE maintained that while the captain’s handling of the situation might not have been optimal, the provocation was severe enough to test the limits of any professional pilot’s tolerance. The association demanded a transparent, unbiased investigation and reinstatement of the pilots’ licences.
Criticism of NAAPE’s Position
Some industry veterans, however, faulted NAAPE’s stance. Retired Nigeria Airways pilot Mohammed Badamosi described the call for reinstatement as “unprofessional,” insisting that the aircraft should never have moved without clearance from ground staff. He emphasised that ensuring there were no obstructions before taxiing is a fundamental captain’s responsibility — one that was breached in this case.
NCAA Maintains Position
NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, confirmed that the investigation was ongoing and that the pilots’ licences would remain suspended in the meantime. He added that the co-pilot’s role would also be scrutinised to determine whether standard cockpit communication and clearance checks had been observed before the aircraft began taxiing.
Safety Experts Urge Balanced Approach
Olumide Ohunayo, General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative (ASRTI/ART), acknowledged that the pilots violated departure procedures, thereby endangering KWAM1 and airport staff on the tarmac. However, he argued that the situation was complicated by time pressures, operational delays, and the stress caused by the passenger’s disruptive conduct.
Ohunayo suggested that emotional intelligence training, psychological evaluation, and supervised flights would be a more balanced corrective measure rather than a permanent licence withdrawal. He stressed that since no lives were lost or injuries sustained, the captain deserved a second chance.
Call for Training and Rehabilitation
Other industry observers echoed the need for a fair investigation. They recommended that, if found culpable, the pilots undergo simulator retraining, safety management system refresher courses, or psychological assessments before returning to active duty. These measures, they said, would help prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
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