The Federal Government’s plan to reposition the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) as an independent multimodal accident investigation agency received unanimous backing from top transportation, security, and emergency management agencies during a high-level stakeholder engagement convened in Abuja on Thursday.

The meeting, held at the Joint Intelligence Board Hall of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), brought together senior officials from the aviation, maritime, rail, road transport, finance, intelligence, and emergency response sectors to advance implementation of the new reporting structure approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2026.

Under the new framework, the NSIB will now report directly to the Presidency through ONSA, ending its previous supervisory alignment with the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The engagement was chaired by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, with the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman, serving as co-chairperson.

Representatives at the meeting included officials from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Central Bank of Nigeria, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Railway Corporation, National Inland Waterways Authority, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Police Force, National Emergency Management Agency, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Armed Forces, Air Command, and other key agencies.

Stakeholders described the reform as a strategic move aimed at improving national coordination in transport accident investigations, emergency response management, infrastructure protection, and intelligence collaboration.

Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said the transition marks a significant institutional shift that would strengthen transparency, operational independence, and inter-agency collaboration in accident investigations.

“Our responsibility remains preventive, not punitive. The Bureau determines probable causes of accidents, identifies systemic safety gaps, and issues recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. We do not regulate, prosecute, or apportion blame,” Badeh said.

He explained that the new framework would improve occurrence notification timelines, evidence preservation, and coordinated responses in investigations involving multiple agencies or incidents with wider national security implications.

Badeh also noted that previous investigations conducted between late 2025 and early 2026 exposed operational difficulties, including delays in accessing critical data and jurisdictional overlaps among agencies.

Speaking at the engagement, Ribadu said the Presidency approved the reform to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, preserve investigative neutrality, and establish a stronger national transportation safety structure.

According to him, the ONSA would provide institutional coordination and oversight support, especially in cases involving systemic failures or operational lapses linked to agencies under investigation.

He stressed that an independent reporting structure was necessary to maintain public trust, transparency, and professional credibility in accident investigations.

Ribadu further disclosed that the Federal Government had commenced steps to amend the NSIB Establishment Act 2022 to reflect the new governance arrangement, adding that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation would set up a technical drafting committee involving relevant stakeholders.

In her remarks, Hadiza Bala Usman said President Tinubu’s decision aligns Nigeria’s transportation safety architecture with globally recognised models such as the United States National Transportation Safety Board, Canada’s Transportation Safety Board, and France’s Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses.

The meeting also resolved to develop inter-agency standard operating procedures within 30 days, establish memoranda of understanding among agencies within 60 days, and begin legislative amendments required for full implementation of the framework.

Participants unanimously endorsed the reform and pledged deeper collaboration through structured inter-agency partnerships and coordinated response mechanisms aimed at strengthening transportation safety and public accountability in Nigeria.

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to redefine its aviation future through the ongoing transformation of Murtala Muhammed International Airport into a modern smart airport designed to meet global standards in safety, efficiency and passenger experience.

The large-scale remodelling of the country’s busiest international gateway represents the most extensive overhaul of the facility in nearly five decades and is expected to reposition Nigeria more competitively within Africa’s aviation sector.

The project includes the installation of biometric processing systems, electronic gates, advanced baggage handling technology, upgraded screening systems, expanded access roads and modern surveillance infrastructure.

According to FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the transformation reflects a broader national strategy to modernise the aviation ecosystem in line with international best practices and growing global demand for digitally enabled airports.

“What is happening at MMIA goes far beyond renovation. It is a national statement. It is Nigeria announcing to the world that its aviation future will no longer be defined by ageing infrastructure, but by smart systems, operational efficiency, safety, technology and a renewed passenger experience,” Agbebire stated.

The authority explained that despite the scale of reconstruction, airport operations have continued through temporary operational arrangements carefully designed to minimise disruptions for passengers and airlines.

Agbebire added that the remodelling would significantly improve passenger flow, operational turnaround time, passenger comfort and airport security coordination upon completion.

The project is also expected to strengthen tourism, trade, cargo movement, conference tourism and foreign direct investment through improved aviation infrastructure and operational reliability.

“A modern airport does more than process passengers. It influences tourism, trade, cargo movement, foreign direct investment, airline route expansion and regional integration,” Agbebire noted.

Officials further stressed that the ongoing reforms under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and FAAN management are aimed at improving infrastructure, operational reliability and service delivery across Nigeria’s airports.

Industry stakeholders expressed confidence that the upgraded MMIA would enhance Nigeria’s image as a leading aviation and business destination while improving travel experience for millions of passengers annually.

As construction advances toward completion, aviation authorities believe the transformed MMIA will emerge as a flagship gateway reflecting innovation, resilience, efficiency and global relevance.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed support for indigenous airlines as Bayelsa State-owned Pioneer Airlines officially moves closer to commencing operations after securing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, received the airline’s management team in Abuja on Wednesday following the successful certification of the carrier.

The delegation was led by Pioneer Airlines Group Managing Director, Capt. Okobaundu Henry Ungbuku, who formally presented the airline’s AOC certificate to the Minister and thanked the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its agencies for supporting the certification process.

Capt. Ungbuku described the approval as a significant achievement for Bayelsa State and said the development demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening indigenous airlines.

He praised the Ministry for encouraging private and state-backed investment in the aviation sector and creating policies that support local operators.

During the meeting, the Pioneer Airlines boss also introduced members of the airline’s management team responsible for operations, commercial services, safety, engineering, business development, and human resources.

Speaking during the visit, Keyamo welcomed the airline’s entry into the market and said the growing involvement of state governments in aviation would help expand Nigeria’s domestic and regional air transport network.

The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government was developing a Nigerian Leasing Company to support local airlines with aircraft acquisition and reduce operational difficulties faced by indigenous carriers.

He explained that Pioneer Airlines could become one of the beneficiaries of the initiative when fully operational.

Keyamo further stressed that Nigeria has a large aviation market capable of supporting more local carriers, especially on regional routes currently dominated by foreign airlines.

According to him, stronger indigenous participation in the sector would improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The visit concluded with renewed commitments between the Ministry and Pioneer Airlines to work together towards expanding air transport opportunities and improving regional connectivity across the country.