In a bid to strengthen oversight across Nigeria’s transportation systems, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released draft regulatory frameworks for air, rail, and marine transport safety.
The drafts were presented on Thursday during a one-day stakeholder workshop on multimodal transport safety held in Abuja. At the event, NSIB Director-General, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. revealed three key regulatory proposals: a revised Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulation, a new Railway Accident and Incident Investigation Regulation, and a Maritime Safety Investigation Regulation.
According to Badeh, the proposals are the outcome of months of technical collaboration, expert review, and real-time data analysis. He stressed that the agency’s goal is to develop practical and enforceable safety measures that reflect the realities of Nigeria’s transport system.
“These documents reflect our commitment to building a safer transport network,” he said. “They have been carefully crafted based on data, industry input, and international best practices. We encourage all stakeholders to offer constructive feedback to help make them even more effective.”
The announcement comes as conversations intensify around the NSIB’s institutional alignment. While currently under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, there are increasing calls for the bureau to operate independently, either under the Presidency or a neutral supervisory entity, given its broader multimodal responsibilities.
Badeh echoed this sentiment, noting that transportation safety oversight must be independent and supported by all sectors. “Our mandate spans beyond a single mode. We must work together across ministries and agencies to build a resilient safety system,” he added.
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Just a day earlier, during a joint public hearing in Abuja, the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs expressed support for granting the NSIB full autonomy. Permanent Secretary Dr. Onwusoro Maduka argued that independence is vital to maintain objectivity in accident investigations. However, the Ministry of Aviation opposed the idea, citing coordination challenges.
Speaking at Thursday’s workshop, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo acknowledged the growing complexity of managing safety across interlinked transport systems.
“An incident in one mode of transport can trigger ripple effects in others,” he explained. “Whether it’s a marine disruption affecting port access or a railway issue slowing down air cargo, it’s clear we need an integrated approach to safety.”
Keyamo also commended the NSIB’s shift from a punitive to a preventive safety model, which aligns with international standards. Nevertheless, any move toward greater NSIB independence could weaken the Aviation Ministry’s oversight role, an issue that continues to stir debate among government stakeholders.
The event was also attended by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola. Their joint appearance with Keyamo was viewed as a unified endorsement of a more collaborative and holistic approach to transport safety in Nigeria.
