The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has called for enhanced coordination between transportation safety oversight and national security response mechanisms, following the Federal Government's completion of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) relocation to the presidency. President Bola Tinubu approved the move in March 2026, transferring the NSIB from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to the presidency under ONSA supervision.
Stakeholder Meeting Highlights
The NSIB disclosed that ONSA made the statement last Thursday during a high-level stakeholder meeting at the Joint Intelligence Board Hall in Abuja. According to the statement, government officials and transport sector regulators described the relocation as a strategic step to strengthen investigative independence, improve emergency coordination, and address growing national security concerns linked to transportation incidents.
Key Participants
The meeting, chaired by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, included top officials from aviation, maritime, rail, road transport, finance, justice, and emergency response sectors. Agencies represented included the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Need for Collaboration
Stakeholders noted that the increasing complexity of transportation accidents and emergencies requires stronger collaboration between safety regulators, intelligence agencies, and emergency responders. They emphasized that a coordinated approach is essential to effectively manage incidents and mitigate risks.
NSIB Director-General's Remarks
Speaking during the engagement, NSIB Director-General Alex Badeh Jr. stated that the new reporting structure would strengthen operational independence and eliminate delays often encountered during accident investigations. He said, “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.”
This relocation is expected to enhance the NSIB's ability to conduct thorough investigations without external interference, ultimately improving transportation safety across Nigeria. The ONSA's push for better coordination underscores the government's commitment to integrating safety oversight with national security priorities.
