The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Bade, has refuted claims by the United States that Nigerian airports are generally unsafe.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bade stated that while Nigerian airports face some challenges, it is inaccurate and unfair to label them as broadly unsafe.
“There is always room for improvement, but the NSIB does not concur with the assessment that our airports are unsafe. Challenges such as perimeter fencing and wildlife intrusion exist, but these are not peculiar to Nigeria—they occur in airports around the world, including in the United States,” he said.
Bade commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for implementing measures to enhance wildlife management at airports across the country.
He addressed a recent incident in Asaba where animals were spotted on the runway, clarifying that the aircraft involved was not damaged and continued its journey safely to Abuja.
“The matter was reported to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and since it did not constitute a significant safety issue, it was not referred to NSIB. Nonetheless, we intend to engage the airport’s private operator to discuss best practices,” he noted.
He also stated that such incidents are rare and not indicative of a general lack of safety at Nigerian airports.
Commenting on the helicopter crash involving the late Herbert Wigwe, Bade said the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which led the investigation, kept the NSIB informed throughout the process.
“The NTSB identified spatial disorientation as the probable cause of the crash and highlighted shortcomings in the operator’s oversight and safety management. These systemic issues should have been addressed through a more rigorous flight risk assessment,” he explained.
Bade further reiterated that the NSIB is now Nigeria’s sole accident investigation body for all modes of transportation—air, rail, road, and maritime—following the enactment of its establishment Act in 2022.
“We are developing relevant frameworks and procedures for maritime and rail accident investigations and engaging stakeholders for collaboration. The NSIB remains committed to promoting transport safety and conducting impartial and thorough investigations,” he concluded.
(NAN)