The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has hosted the 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency, further underscoring Nigeria’s growing leadership in regional aviation safety and accident investigation cooperation.
The high-level meeting, held in Abuja from July 28 to 29, brought together heads and representatives of accident investigation bureaus from BAGAIA member states like Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone. The forum focused on strengthening regional coordination, aligning policy strategies, and responding to emerging aviation threats.
This year’s theme, ‘Celebrating Our Collective Wins in Capacity Building and Aviation Safety Across the Banjul Accord Group Region and Beyond,’ highlighted both the region’s achievements and the ongoing challenges in enhancing aviation safety standards.
The meeting affirmed a shared commitment to building investigative capacity, sharing technical knowledge, and advancing cooperation across borders.
A key highlight of the gathering was the activation of BAGAIA’s Board of Directors. Comprising heads of national investigation bureaus. The new Board is set to transform the agency’s governance by providing strategic oversight, monitoring the Commissioner’s activities, and ensuring accountability.
Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, welcomed delegates during the opening ceremony and stressed the need for deeper collaboration in tackling aviation incidents that often transcend national boundaries.
“Cooperation among member states is not just a goal but the foundation of our success,” Badeh said. “Aviation incidents transcend borders and demand seamless collaboration. We must move as one.”
He pointed to Nigeria’s support to fellow member states, including technical assistance to Liberia’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and efforts to help Ghana develop a flight data analysis lab, as practical demonstrations of NSIB’s commitment to regional progress.
“We are celebrating collective wins today,” he added. “They reflect our shared growth, our willingness to learn from one another, and our drive to raise standards across the subregion.”
Badeh further noted that regional aviation safety must continue to evolve to counter modern challenges, such as bird strikes, operational risks, and technological disruptions.
The event not only spotlighted Nigeria’s readiness to shape the future of aviation investigation in Africa but also positioned NSIB as a central player in fostering continental collaboration, advancing investigative tools, and enhancing training infrastructure.
BAGAIA Commissioner Charles Irikefe Erhueh praised NSIB’s commitment and urged member states to maintain momentum in building synergy and resilience, despite financial constraints.
“NSIB’s leadership is commendable,” he noted, highlighting the critical need for sustained cooperation to improve aviation safety across the BAG region.
EASA Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Yves Koning, represented the EU-ASA/BAGAIA partnership and described the ongoing technical collaboration as both productive and transformative. He acknowledged the upcoming completion of the EU-funded BAGAIA support project on July 31 but assured participants that continued engagement and collaboration channels remain open.
“Although the EU-funded project concludes, we are confident that the progress made will continue through other forms of cooperation,” he said.
With discussions ranging from performance assessments to funding strategies and long-term technical planning, the 12th BAGAIA Commission Meeting marks a pivotal moment for aviation safety oversight in West Africa.
