New revelations have emerged about Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, the ValueJet pilot whose licence was recently suspended after she allegedly flew dangerously close to Fuji music legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), and other passengers at the Abuja airport.
Captain Ogoyi, fondly known among colleagues as “Rantilicious”, is the daughter of former Senator Felix Kola Ogunwale, who represented Osun Central Senatorial District from 2003 to 2007.
She began her professional flying career with Arik Air as a first officer, earning a reputation for competence and leadership. Her dedication was rewarded in September 2021 when she was promoted to full captain a milestone marked in a formal ceremony attended by Arik’s then-CEO, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, and other industry heavyweights including Captain Adetokunbo Adekunbi and Captain Chris Najomo, the current Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
After her stint at Arik, Ogoyi joined ValueJet, where she became known as one of the airline’s most reliable and experienced pilots. She is also part of an aviation power couple, married to Captain Isaac Ogoyi Jr., a fellow pilot whose career has taken him from Arik Air to RwandAir and now Uganda Airlines.
The NCAA confirmed her suspension pending the outcome of investigations. While ValueJet has not issued any fresh disciplinary statement since announcing the internal review, the pilot’s political connections and stellar career record have kept her in the public spotlight, adding a new twist to the ongoing airport saga involving KWAM 1
