Director General Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., has taken deliberate steps to boost regional aviation safety collaboration with a strategic visit to ASKY Airlines headquarters in Lomé, Togo. The meeting with Chief Executive Officer ASKY Airlines, Mr. Esayas Woldemariam Hailu, focused on creating stronger ties between aviation safety institutions and regional airlines to enhance investigation processes and safety awareness.
The high-level discussion marked a turning point in cross-border engagement among West African aviation stakeholders. Captain Badeh Jr. emphasized that meaningful partnerships are necessary to ensure future safety success in the sub-region. He noted that today’s visit reinforces the NSIB’s proactive strategy to engage directly with key aviation operators to foster transparency and shared responsibility.
“This visit is not simply symbolic,” said Captain Badeh Jr., “it is a step toward building trust, cooperation, and accountability in regional aviation. We are developing systems based on science and data, designed to prevent tomorrow’s accidents today.” He explained that by collaborating with ASKY Airlines and other stakeholders, the NSIB is advancing a model that prioritizes early detection of risks and industry-wide sharing of investigative knowledge.
Importantly, discussions focused on harmonising aviation safety protocols, improving access to investigative resources, and creating frameworks for shared training programs. Both parties agreed that such collaboration is crucial for adapting to growing traffic volumes in West Africa and ensuring alignment with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Mr. Hailu welcomed the NSIB delegation warmly and praised the initiative. “It is an honour to host the Director General and his team,” he said. “At ASKY Airlines, our commitment is clear—we must always meet and exceed safety expectations. Working directly with investigative bodies such as the NSIB enhances our preparedness, reinforces our transparency, and strengthens alignment with international best practices.”
As West Africa continues to emerge as a major aviation hub, both parties recognized the importance of a unified safety strategy across borders. They discussed potential future activities, including joint investigative workshops, technical exchange programs, and shared training opportunities for accident investigators and safety personnel.
The visit also served to build a foundation for an expanded regional aviation safety collaboration network that allows authorities and airlines to communicate and coordinate more effectively. By supporting one another, agencies and operators can ensure that no gaps exist in safety oversight or investigation capacity within the region.
Captain Badeh Jr. further explained that the NSIB is working to transition from reactive investigations to predictive safety models that identify trends before they lead to major incidents. He stressed that this approach can only succeed through honest cooperation, consistent data exchange, and capacity building across national boundaries.
Both the NSIB and ASKY Airlines reaffirmed their joint commitment to establishing new benchmarks for aviation safety in West Africa. They also expressed optimism that this partnership will serve as a model for other nations and carriers in the sub-region.
This engagement strengthens Nigeria’s leadership in aviation safety initiatives across the continent and demonstrates NSIB’s active role in shaping a resilient and responsive air transport sector.
