The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has pushed back against recent claims by the United States government suggesting that Nigerian airports are broadly unsafe. It also clarified its involvement in the helicopter crash that killed prominent banker Herbert Wigwe, while offering new insights into its broadened role as Nigeria’s sole transport accident investigation agency.
Appearing on Arise News, NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., described the U.S. State Department’s safety assessment as “unfair and lacking proper context.”
“While there is always room for improvement, the NSIB does not concur with the assessment that Nigerian airports are generally unsafe,” said Badeh Jr. “It’s crucial to consider the context and metrics used in such evaluations.”
The DG acknowledged that some Nigerian airports face issues like inadequate perimeter fencing and occasional wildlife intrusions but said such challenges are not unique to the country.
“Even airports in developed countries, including the U.S., deal with these issues. It’s a global concern, not a Nigerian anomaly,” he said, commending the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for its ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
Badeh also addressed a recent incident at Asaba Airport, where an aircraft reportedly encountered animals on the runway. He clarified that the aircraft sustained no damage and continued its journey to Abuja.
“It was not reported to NSIB because there was no damage or serious safety threat. However, we plan to engage with the private operators managing that airport to discuss international best practices,” he added.
Wigwe Crash: Clarification on NSIB’s Role
On the widely publicized helicopter crash in the U.S. that claimed the life of Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, Captain Badeh debunked reports that the NSIB worked “side by side” with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
“We were not co-investigators. NSIB was classified as an interested party and was kept informed by the NTSB throughout the investigation,” he explained.
Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, added that the NTSB concluded spatial disorientation as the likely cause of the crash. The final report also revealed deeper safety issues within the operating company, particularly in its risk assessment procedures and overall safety management.
“There appeared to be systemic lapses. The operator should have flagged the flight as high-risk. While it’s easy to point fingers at the pilot, robust oversight mechanisms could have prevented the tragedy,” Badeh noted.
NSIB’s New Mandate: One Bureau for All Transport Investigations
Captain Badeh also outlined the bureau’s new responsibilities under the NSIB Establishment Act of 2022, which now places air, rail, road, and maritime accident investigations under its sole jurisdiction.
“We’ve completed frameworks for both maritime and rail accident investigations and are currently engaging stakeholders to ensure nationwide alignment,” he said.
According to Badeh, NSIB is developing regulatory guidelines, training manuals, and policies that will standardize how transport accidents are investigated across all sectors.
The bureau reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safety across Nigeria’s transport ecosystem through independent, transparent, and data-driven investigations.
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