Abuja, Nigeria — Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has defended the Federal Government’s decision to appoint Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol.

The move follows public criticism over what many Nigerians on social media have described as “double standards” in handling recent cases of unruly behaviour at airports involving KWAM 1 and Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson.

Keyamo explained that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had reduced KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month after appeals from prominent individuals and the musician’s public show of remorse over the August 5 incident in which he allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Keyamo stated, “It is common practice all over the world that a repentant offender is made to preach publicly against the exact conduct from which he has repented. It is akin to community service. It is not paid for, and it is a voluntary service.”

He dismissed suggestions that the ambassadorial title conferred privileges, noting it was neither a paid role nor an official position. Keyamo added that the Airline Operators of Nigeria are also considering appointing Emmanson, recently released from prison, as an ambassador for good passenger conduct.

The minister maintained that his ministry had acted fairly in both incidents, stressing that the initiative aims to promote awareness and improve passenger behaviour in Nigeria’s aviation sector.