Alex Badeh, the Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB)
In the heart of Nigeria’s transportation sector, a silent revolution is underway. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has emerged as a cornerstone of the nation’s safety strategy, working to identify risks, investigate incidents, and implement reforms that save lives.
Under the visionary leadership of Alex Badeh, Director General NSIB, the bureau has become a driving force behind Nigeria’s quest for safer skies, roads, and waters. With a renewed focus on safety, NSIB is transforming the transportation landscape, ensuring that Nigeria’s transportation systems are safe, efficient, and reliable.
NSIB is a federal agency in Nigeria responsible for promoting transportation safety and conducting objective investigations into accidents and serious incidents. Its main goal is to improve safety by identifying the causes of accidents and recommending safety measures to prevent similar incidents. NSIB investigates all modes of transportation, including aviation, marine, rail, and road.
Since assuming office in November 2023, Badeh has overseen the release of ten comprehensive accident investigation reports – air (eight) and Marine (two) and fifty-eight safety recommendations Air (51) and Marine (seven). The findings have guided regulatory updates, improved operational protocols, and enhanced the overall safety architecture across Nigeria’s multimodal transport system.
Championing innovations
Badeh has prioritised the modernisation of NSIB operations. Key advancements include deployment of simulation and scenario-based investigative applications, improving incident reconstruction accuracy and response efficiency.
He has also ensured full adoption of the iGov platform for digital documentation, enhancing transparency and internal workflow speed, integration of AviTech for seamless electronic payment processing, boosting accountability in financial operations.
Adoption of these initiatives aligns with global best practices and reflects a shift toward a more agile and tech-enabled safety bureau.
The Bureau has incorporated drone technology and AI tools in critical investigations to enhance data capture and situational assessment.
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It has deployed drone-assisted analysis in the final draft report of the 26 April 2022 ground collision at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving an EMB-135BJ operated by Max Air and an ATR 42 operated by the Nigerian Air Force.
The NSIB has also deployed advanced technology in the preliminary investigation of the 24 October 2024 Sikorsky S76c+ helicopter crash off the coast of Eket. It applied aerial surveillance and AI modelling during the investigation into the Nyanya tanker explosion.
These tools have enabled the Bureau to improve investigative precision, especially in complex or inaccessible environments.
Training
BusinessDay’s findings show that all 350 NSIB personnel have undergone targeted, recurrent training in different part of the world, aligned with their roles. These capacity-building efforts include technical courses in accident and incident investigation, operational and administrative training sessions, workshops facilitated by leading international institutions such as Cranfield University, Nigeria’s Institute of Transport Technology, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT Zaria, Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Authority, in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), among others
This emphasis on human capital development ensures the Bureau stays responsive, competent, and in step with evolving safety standards.
Influencing safety policy
NSIB’s commitment to enhancing transport safety in Nigeria is evident in its thorough investigations and data-driven recommendations. By analyzing incidents and identifying critical safety gaps, NSIB has been able to inform policy decisions and drive meaningful reforms.
For instance, the agency’s investigation into aviation incidents has led to enhanced maintenance protocols, increased regulatory scrutiny, and improved safety standards. These reforms have not only improved safety protocols but also restored public confidence in the aviation sector. NSIB’s work serves as a model for other transportation sectors, demonstrating the importance of proactive safety measures and collaborative problem-solving.
NSIB reports recommendations have seen agencies concerned review their policies and enforce actions aimed at ensuring safety.
For instance, shortly after the NSIB report, NIWA reaffirmed its commitment to reactivating the 2023 transportation codes. This initiative aims to ensure that there are more River Marshals at every waterfront for coordination and enforcement. Additionally, NIWA intends to have a manifest and life jackets available at all loading points.
Also, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) has taken action on recommendations made by the NSIB, specifically following an incident involving Max Air’s B734 aircraft.
Also, the NCAA has taken action on recommendations made by NSIB on implementing corrective measures, conducting safety audits, and developing safety guidelines. The NCAA is also collaborating with other stakeholders, including Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to address aviation safety concerns.
More importantly, airlines have in recent times depended on NSIB’s recommendations to update their safety books and learn from mistakes made by other airlines.
For instance, NSIB issued recommendations on a preliminary report on the accident involving an Allied Air Boeing 737-400 Freighter, registered as 5N-JRT, which suffered a landing gear collapse upon touchdown at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 11, 2024.
The Bureau requested that investigators should conduct a comprehensive assessment of the flap drive system components, including transmission assemblies, universal joints, ball nuts, flap tracks, and jack screw actuators. Additional inspections will be carried out on the aircraft’s main wheel tires to identify any structural deficiencies that could pose future safety risks.
Following this incident, airlines are expected to relay this to their inspectors to avoid similar incidents from taking place in the future.
Leadership and vision
Alex Badeh’s extensive aviation experience and visionary leadership have been instrumental in shaping NSIB’s approach to safety investigations. His commitment to safety has driven NSIB’s efforts to identify and address potential safety risks, ensuring that Nigeria’s transportation systems are among the safest in the world.
Under his leadership, NSIB has adopted a proactive approach to safety investigations, leveraging industry best practices and international expertise to inform policy decisions. Badeh’s leadership has fostered a culture of safety within NSIB, empowering investigators to identify and address safety risks with confidence and precision.
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Also under Badeh’s leadership, the very first partnership between an operator and an investigator birthed, to foster a culture of safety and invest in the future of the aviation industry.
The Bureau and Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s oldest airline partnered to deepen aviation safety, enhance training and date a strategic partnership.
With the partnership, the NSIB is supporting Aero’s technical personnel with training in accident investigation and related areas.
The MoU also paves the way for joint conferences, symposiums and workshops to share best practices, explore emerging trends in aviation and build capacity across both workforces by deploying their respective facilities and staff, including pilots, engineers, dispatchers and flight attendants.
NSIB and Aero Contractors aim to strengthen their ability to prevent accidents, respond effectively to incidents, and uphold the highest safety standards in line with international benchmarks, such as the Standards and Recommended Practices of Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention.
Partnerships
NSIB’s collaboration with international partners has been instrumental in enhancing its investigative capabilities. The agency has worked closely with organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to adopt best practices and stay abreast of global safety standards.
This partnership has enabled NSIB to leverage international expertise and resources, further strengthening its investigative capabilities. By working together, NSIB and its international partners can share knowledge, expertise, and resources, driving meaningful reforms and enhancing transport safety in Nigeria.
A safer future
In sustaining a safer future, Badeh is focused on long-term impact. His strategy involves ongoing integration of advanced technologies into investigation workflows and structured collaboration with international safety organizations and academic institutions for knowledge exchange.
Other strategies include nationwide public sensitization campaigns, including programs like the Family Assistance Program (FAP), which engage citizens, service providers, and key stakeholders; and advocacy for transport safety policy reforms to reduce systemic risks across all transport modes
His approach blends proactive prevention with robust investigative capacity, making the NSIB a national leader in safety assurance.
Looking ahead, NSIB is poised to continue its efforts to enhance transport safety in Nigeria. The agency plans to invest in cutting-edge technology, enhance its training programs for investigators, and strengthen its partnerships with international organizations. By doing so, NSIB aims to further reduce the risk of accidents and incidents, ensuring that Nigeria’s transportation systems are safe, efficient, and reliable. With a renewed focus on safety, NSIB is committed to making Nigeria’s transportation sector one of the safest in the world. As the agency continues to drive meaningful reforms and enhance safety standards, Nigeria’s transportation sector will become a model for others to follow.
