Nigeria Leads Regional Drive for Safer Skies as NSIB Hosts 12th BAGAIA Meeting in Abuja
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reinforced its position as a pacesetter in regional aviation safety by hosting the 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) in Abuja.
The two-day meeting, held on 28 and 29 July 2025, brought together high-ranking officials and technical experts from six West African member states to strengthen collaboration, enhance investigative capabilities, and discuss strategic priorities in air transport safety.
Member states represented at the high-level gathering included Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone. Participants deliberated on shared challenges, harmonised safety frameworks, and emerging risks in the dynamic aviation environment across the region.
Themed “Celebrating Our Collective Wins in Capacity Building and Aviation Safety Across the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Region and Beyond”, the meeting underscored the importance of continued cooperation in developing skilled investigators, improving operational standards, and consolidating progress in accident investigation.
One of the highlights of the session was the activation of BAGAIA’s newly constituted Board of Directors – composed of the heads of national accident investigation bureaus.
The move, stakeholders say, will boost transparency and governance by overseeing BAGAIA’s strategic direction and ensuring accountability of its leadership.
In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., urged member states to maintain a united front in addressing transnational aviation safety issues.
“Cooperation among member states is not just a goal but the foundation of our success,” he stated. “Aviation incidents transcend borders and demand seamless collaboration. We must move as one.”
He cited recent instances of Nigeria’s proactive regional engagement, including the technical assistance provided to Liberia’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and support extended to Ghana in developing a flight data analysis laboratory. These actions, Badeh noted, demonstrate how Nigeria is translating regional commitments into tangible impact.
“We are celebrating collective wins today,” he said. “They reflect our shared growth, our willingness to learn from one another, and our drive to raise standards across the subregion.”
Captain Badeh also pointed to new and evolving threats to aviation safety such as bird strikes, operational hazards, and technological disruptions, stressing the need for dynamic and forward-thinking responses through regional partnerships.
BAGAIA Commissioner, Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, in his remarks, applauded the NSIB for its leadership and urged member states to deepen existing synergies.
He acknowledged funding limitations but reaffirmed the collective resolve among member countries to enhance their investigative capacities and sustain progress.
Also in attendance was Mr Yves Koning, Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), who represented the EU-ASA/BAGAIA partnership.
He lauded the productive collaboration between the EU and BAGAIA and announced the conclusion of the current EU-funded technical assistance project by 31 July 2025, while noting that opportunities for ongoing cooperation remain open.
The meeting agenda featured performance reviews, resource mobilisation strategies, and plans for strengthening technical coordination. Discussions also addressed long-term sustainability for BAGAIA and ways to foster innovation within national bureaus.
By hosting and leading this pivotal gathering, NSIB has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transport safety systems, fostering regional unity, and advancing investigative excellence beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The Bureau’s role in facilitating this meeting reflects Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the continent’s aviation safety architecture and its determination to remain at the forefront of capacity development across Africa.
