NSIB Boss Deepens Regional Aviation Safety Ties with Strategic Visit to Asky Airlines in Togo
In a significant move to bolster regional aviation safety and foster collaborative frameworks across West Africa, the Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jr., undertook a strategic visit to Asky Airlines’ headquarters in Lomé, Togo, on Thursday, where he met with the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Esayas Woldemariam Hailu.
The high-level engagement is part of NSIB’s broader efforts to reinforce cross-border cooperation on safety investigation procedures, operational support, and technical training in line with international best practices recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
During the meeting, Captain Badeh Jr. emphasised the urgency and importance of a harmonised approach to aviation safety across the region.
“This visit goes beyond being a gesture of goodwill; it is a deliberate step towards building a network of trust, cooperation, and accountability in West African aviation. We believe that together, through shared knowledge and operational integrity, we can ensure the skies remain safe for all,” he stated.
He further noted that the NSIB is moving away from reactive measures and shifting towards proactive safety management driven by science, data, and technology. “We are moving away from a system where aviation rules are written in response to tragedy. Our focus is on building a framework grounded in science, data, and technology to stay ahead of threats,” he said.
“This shift enables us to detect risks before they escalate into incidents, spot trends before they become statistics, and prevent tomorrow’s accidents today. This approach requires open collaboration with key stakeholders, grounded in trust and knowledge exchange,” he added.
Mr Hailu, while welcoming the visit, reaffirmed Asky Airlines’ unwavering commitment to safety and expressed appreciation for the Bureau’s leadership in championing regional partnerships.
“We are honoured to host the Director General and his team. At Asky Airlines, our priority is to meet and exceed safety standards. Collaboration with investigative authorities like the NSIB helps us remain responsive, transparent, and fully aligned with international best practices,” he remarked.
The discussions also covered future areas of cooperation, including the exchange of investigative insights, capacity-building initiatives, and the development of shared training programmes tailored to strengthen the regional aviation safety framework.
Both leaders shared an optimistic outlook on the impact of such collaboration as West Africa increasingly positions itself as a strategic aviation hub.
Their mutual commitment to integrated safety systems and sustainable aviation oversight marks a pivotal step in ensuring that the region’s airspace remains safe, secure, and globally compliant.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) continues to serve as a beacon of excellence in transport accident investigation, with a growing emphasis on fostering partnerships that transcend national boundaries.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is a multimodal transport agency mandated to promote transport safety across Nigeria.
The Bureau conducts thorough and impartial investigations into transport-related accidents and incidents with the aim of determining their probable causes and recommending effective safety measures to prevent recurrence.
