BY ANTHONY OMOH
Director General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jr., has unveiled three regulatory drafts to establish an intermodal transport safety framework in Nigeria.
Speaking during the opening of the NSIB Multimodal Transportation Stakeholders Workshop, themed “Strengthening Transport Safety Standards Through Collaboration,” Captain Badeh introduced draft regulations for rail, maritime, and aviation investigations. These, he said, form the cornerstone of NSIB’s mission to build a safer, integrated national transport network.
“We are excited to present and discuss three key regulatory drafts that form the cornerstone of our efforts,” he stated.
The workshop, held at the Los Angeles Event Centre in Abuja, attracted transport regulators, operators, and safety experts from air, sea, road, and rail sectors. It focused on strengthening transport safety standards through dialogue, cooperation, and regulatory harmonisation.
Captain Badeh explained that the new draft regulations were developed after months of rigorous work by NSIB teams, informed by accident data, global best practices, and stakeholder consultations.
The first draft—the Railway (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulations—proposes a structured system for investigating railway accidents and near-misses. It establishes standard procedures to ensure thorough, evidence-based analyses and practical safety recommendations.
“This draft aims to enhance rail safety nationwide by ensuring every mishap is investigated with the depth and urgency it deserves,” he noted.
The second framework, the Maritime Safety Investigation Regulations Draft, is designed to bring greater transparency and accountability to investigations into maritime incidents. It seeks to modernise the way Nigeria addresses accidents in its waterways and ports.
“This will not only improve safety outcomes but strengthen trust and compliance within our maritime ecosystem,” said the NSIB Director General.
The third document is a revised draft of the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations. This updated version incorporates emerging technologies, international lessons, and feedback from stakeholders. It aims to bolster Nigeria’s aviation safety regime and align it with global investigative standards.
“By reviewing and modernising this aviation framework, we are improving our readiness and responsiveness in the air transport sector,” Badeh explained.
The NSIB DG stressed that these draft regulations are not arbitrary. Rather, they are the result of in-depth study, international benchmarking, and real-world operational feedback. He invited all stakeholders to contribute their insights to ensure the drafts are both effective and practical.
“We invite your valuable input to refine them further. These rules must be enforceable and capable of preventing future incidents,” he said.
Captain Badeh added that the goal is not just regulatory alignment, but a functional intermodal system where rail, maritime, and aviation sectors work with shared safety values and protocols.
In his broader remarks, Captain Badeh reiterated that in a modern, interconnected transport environment, no sector can operate in isolation. He urged stakeholders to break down silos and embrace collaboration to identify risks, share solutions, and enhance system-wide safety performance.
“In today’s world, collaboration is not just beneficial—it is essential,” he affirmed. “This workshop provides a platform to innovate, elevate standards, and safeguard lives.”
He expressed confidence that the deliberations would produce actionable outcomes that further Nigeria’s ambitions for world-class transport safety.
“Let us embrace this opportunity to collaborate and strengthen our collective resolve to prioritise safety,” he concluded.
The NSIB workshop marks a significant step toward strengthening transport safety standards by bridging regulatory gaps between Nigeria’s key transportation sectors. The three draft regulations will be reviewed in detail during technical sessions with stakeholders, after which they will be finalised for adoption.
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