The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reinforced its partnership with Asky Airlines in Lome, Togo, to improve the aviation sector in the West Africa region.
The commitment was renewed when the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., paid a visit to the Chief Executive Officer of Asky Airlines, Mr. Esayas Woldemariam Hailu, at the airline’s headquarters in Lome on Friday.
The Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, disclosed this in a statement made available to Thelensng.
The high-level engagement marked a significant step in fostering regional cooperation and mutual alignment on aviation safety, investigative transparency, and technical training.
“The future of aviation in West Africa depends on how well we collaborate today,” Badeh Jr. said.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria’s Transportation Accident Investigation Agency and West Africa’s leading carriers.
Similarly, discussions centred on the importance of harmonising safety practices, establishing a framework for operational support, and collaborating on safety investigation procedures in accordance with ICAO-recommended standards.
The NSIB DG highlighted the regional responsibility of the Bureau and the importance of engaging with airline stakeholders to proactively enhance safety outcomes.
“This visit goes beyond being a gesture of goodwill; it is a deliberate step towards building a network of trust, cooperation, and accountability in West African aviation. We believe that together, through shared knowledge and operational integrity, we can ensure the skies remain safe for all,” he stated.
He continued: “We are moving away from a system where aviation rules are written in response to tragedy. Our focus is on building a framework grounded in science, data, and technology to stay ahead of threats.
“This shift enables us to detect risks before they escalate into incidents, spot trends before they become statistics, and prevent tomorrow’s accidents today. This approach requires open collaboration with key stakeholders, grounded in trust and knowledge exchange.”
Responding, Mr. Halilu affirmed Asky Airlines’ commitment to advancing a culture of safety through strategic partnerships.
“We are honoured to host the Director General and his team. At Asky Airlines, our priority is to meet and exceed safety standards. Collaboration with investigative authorities like the NSIB helps us remain responsive, transparent, and fully aligned with international best practices,” he remarked.
Both leaders expressed optimism about opportunities for ongoing collaboration, including the exchange of investigative insights, capacity-building initiatives, and the establishment of shared safety training programs aimed at elevating the regional aviation framework.
This visit represents a forward-looking commitment to integrated safety systems, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable aviation oversight as global air travel continues to grow and West Africa emerges as a critical aviation hub.
The NSIB is a multimodal transport agency charged with promoting transport safety and conducting objective, comprehensive, and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria, with the aim of identifying probable causes and advocating for safety improvements based on its findings.
