The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reaffirmed its dedication to building a unified transport safety framework across Nigeria’s air, maritime, rail, and land sectors. The Bureau is leading a significant transformation of transportation oversight by creating independent, standardised investigations aimed at preventing future accidents.
Under the NSIB Act 2022, the Bureau now holds a wider mandate. It investigates not just aviation incidents but also marine and rail accidents, positioning itself as a central body for national transport safety. Its new structure promotes a unified, multimodal safety regime rooted in transparency, global standards, and sector-specific insights.
To support this evolution, the NSIB is finalising two key regulatory documents. These are the NSIB Casualty Investigation Regulations for maritime safety and the Rail and Track Accident Investigation Regulations for Nigeria’s railways. Both instruments incorporate local operational contexts while reflecting global best practices.
A statement issued by Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, clarified that the maritime guidelines align with the IMO Casualty Investigation Code. This ensures a structured approach to investigating accidents involving ports, inland waterways, and Nigeria-flagged vessels.
Meanwhile, the rail safety regulations consider the operational realities of the Nigerian railway system. These frameworks draw on international models and are crafted to ensure real-world applicability without compromising global standards.
The NSIB’s progress builds on its successful compliance with ICAO Annex 13, the benchmark for air accident investigations. This aviation model has significantly improved global air safety and serves as a blueprint for the Bureau’s expanding remit.
Director General/CEO of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr, stressed that NSIB’s role extends beyond merely investigating accidents. He said:
“Our goal is not just investigation. Every safety finding must contribute directly to building a more secure and efficient transport system. These regulations are not checkboxes; they are lifesaving frameworks relevant to Nigerians across all transport modes.”
Importantly, these regulatory efforts have been shaped by real-world consultation. The NSIB conducted field assessments of rail corridors, jetties, waterways, and ports. This hands-on approach helps eliminate theoretical gaps and ensures policies are both relevant and practical.
However, implementation is not NSIB’s responsibility alone. The Bureau can recommend improvements, but execution lies with sector-specific agencies.
To this end, NSIB is urging organisations such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Shippers Council, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen their internal systems. This will allow them to fully adopt NSIB’s safety findings.
As Badeh Jnr explained:
“Safety recommendations are not just paperwork. They are blueprints for saving lives. The value of our investigations is proven only through implementation. This must be a collaborative mission.”
The unified transport safety framework is designed to ensure that findings from one mode can inform safety improvements across others. This cross-sector learning model encourages preventive safety practices instead of isolated, reactive responses.
Over the coming weeks, the NSIB will present its finalised rail and maritime regulations to relevant agencies and stakeholders. Public sensitisation campaigns are also planned to ensure widespread awareness and understanding.
As Nigeria continues to invest in large-scale infrastructure development, safety must remain central to the conversation. Without effective investigative frameworks and inter-agency collaboration, infrastructure gains can easily be undermined by preventable tragedies.
The NSIB remains determined to serve not only as an independent investigator but also as a trusted national adviser on transport safety. It envisions a future where travel by road, rail, sea, or air is secure for every Nigerian, every day.
Through its unified transport safety framework, the Bureau is paving the way toward a more resilient, responsive, and safe transportation system for the nation.
