Biography: Captain Oluranti Ogoyi
Background & Career Beginnings
- Full Name: Oluranti Ogoyi (née Ogunwale)
- Family: Daughter of Senator Felix Kola Ogunwale, who served as a senator representing Osun Central between 2003 and 2007
She started her aviation career with Arik Air, working her way up from First Officer. In September 2021, she was promoted to Captain during a ceremony attended by key aviation figures, including Arik’s CEO Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Director of Flight Operations Captain Adetokunbo Adekunbi, and NCAA boss Captain Chris Najomo
Current Role & Professional Life
- Now serving as a Captain at ValueJet, she is recognized as one of the airline’s most experienced female pilots, boasting over a decade of flying experience
- Affectionately nicknamed “Rantilicious” by her peers, she’s noted for her professionalism and composure in the cockpit
- She is married to fellow aviator Isaac Ogoyi Jr., whose career has spanned Arik Air, RwandAir, and currently Uganda Airlines
Recent Incident & Controversy
Captain Ogoyi gained national attention after a dramatic confrontation involving Fuji music legend KWAM1 (King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja:
- KWAM1 attempted to board ValueJet Flight VK 201 with a thermos flask containing a liquid above the allowed 100ml limit, which triggered a dispute. Allegedly, he spilled the liquid on a crewmember and refused to comply with security protocols
- In response, Captain Ogoyi—commanding the flight alongside First Officer Ivan Oloba—ordered the aircraft door shut, effectively denying him board
- The NCAA swiftly responded by suspending the licences of both pilots for a serious breach of aviation safety regulations—specifically, launching departure procedures without obtaining mandatory pre-departure clearance
- Simultaneously, KWAM1 was banned from flying with Nigerian carriers for six months due to the violations and the outbreak of tensions
The incident sparked widespread debate, with reactions ranging from praise for Ogoyi’s strict enforcement of regulations to criticism over her actions on the tarmac
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Captain Oluranti Ogoyi (née Ogunwale) |
| Family | Daughter of ex-Senator Felix Kola Ogunwale |
| Career Start | First Officer at Arik Air |
| Promotion | Became Captain in September 2021 |
| Current Employer | ValueJet Airlines |
| Nickname | “Rantilicious” |
| Spouse | Pilot Isaac Ogoyi Jr. (Arik Air → RwandAir → Uganda Airlines) |
| Incident Highlight | Denied KWAM1 boarding due to safety regulations; NCAA suspended her licence pending investigation; KWAM1 banned for six months |