BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In recognition of the vital role safety plays in advancing aviation business, the Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jr., recently visited Asky Airlines in Lomé, Togo, for high-level talks with the airline’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Esayas Woldemariam Hailu.
This was disclosed by Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB.
According to her, the visit highlighted a growing regional consensus that the future of aviation in West Africa will be secured not by isolated efforts, but by building bridges of trust, shared expertise, and mutual accountability.
Held at Asky Airlines’ corporate headquarters, the visit marked a strategic step in strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria’s premier accident investigation agency and one of West Africa’s key aviation players. Discussions focused on aligning investigative frameworks, improving transparency, and harmonising safety practices in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Captain Badeh Jr. described the visit as a deliberate move toward cultivating a collaborative safety ecosystem across the sub-region.
“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 said.
He emphasised the NSIB’s shift toward a preventive and data-driven approach to aviation safety, one that aims to mitigate risks before they manifest.
“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”, he explained.
Mr. Hailu welcomed the DG’s visit and reiterated Asky Airlines’ dedication to exceeding safety benchmarks 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 noted.
Both parties agreed on the need for continuous engagement, exploring opportunities such as data-sharing, joint investigative training, and regional capacity-building programs.
These initiatives aim to foster a safety-first culture that supports the region’s growing role in global aviation.
