Director General Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., has rejected the United States’ recent critique of Nigeria’s aviation safety performance. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, he firmly stated that Nigeria aviation safety standards should be judged by verified data and global benchmarking, not isolated events.
He said, “While we always have room for progress, declaring Nigerian airports generally unsafe lacks balance. One must consider the metrics applied.”
Adding to this, NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, released a supporting statement. She explained that incidents such as wildlife intrusions or perimeter breaches occur worldwide and are not unique to Nigeria.
Captain Badeh Jr. reinforced this perspective, stating, “It’s misleading to brand all Nigerian airports as unsafe. We acknowledge improvement needs but also commend FAAN for infrastructure upgrades and operational enhancements.”
He cited a specific case involving an aircraft that encountered animals on the runway in Asaba. The aircraft, he noted, sustained no damage and continued its journey safely to Abuja. “Since it did not result in damage or injuries, it wasn’t escalated to the NSIB but was rightfully reported to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),” he clarified.
Moreover, he said that although such incidents are rare, the NSIB will engage the private airport operator involved to promote stronger wildlife management protocols. “These are not indicators of systemic failures,” he concluded, emphasizing that the country’s aviation framework remains structurally sound.
Wigwe Crash Clarified: NSIB Explains Limited Role
Captain Badeh Jr. also addressed public questions concerning the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Access Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, and others. He clarified that the NSIB did not co-investigate the crash but was involved as an observer in the process.
“We were an interested party, not a lead agency,” he said. “The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) managed the investigation and consistently updated us.”
He explained that the final NTSB report concluded the probable cause was spatial disorientation. It also cited weaknesses in the operator’s safety management system, especially in-flight risk assessment protocols.
“It’s convenient to blame the pilot, but underlying oversight structures and flight safety systems also share accountability,” Badeh Jr. added.
NSIB’s Wider Role Across All Transport Modes
In a significant development, the Director General revealed that the bureau’s investigative scope has broadened under the NSIB Establishment Act of 2022.
The act empowers NSIB as the official investigation authority for air, road, rail, and maritime transport incidents in Nigeria. “We are creating frameworks for all sectors, including maritime regulations, investigator training manuals, and unified investigation procedures,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the rail and maritime regulations have been completed, while engagement with relevant industry stakeholders is ongoing to ensure seamless implementation.
“Our mission is safety. We aim to deliver factual, unbiased investigations that enhance safety across all transport sectors in Nigeria,” Captain Badeh Jr. said.
With this expanded responsibility, the bureau positions itself as a pivotal institution in maintaining and improving Nigeria aviation safety standards and broader transport integrity.
