BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) hosted the 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA), a development that resonates with its leadership role in advancing aviation safety and investigative cooperation across West Africa.
The two-day high-level meeting, held in Abuja on July 28–29, 2025, brought together heads and representatives of Accident Investigation Bureaus from Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone.
Delegates deliberated on strategies to deepen regional coordination, align policy directions, and tackle emerging threats to aviation safety.
The meeting’s theme, “Celebrating Our Collective Wins in Capacity Building and Aviation Safety Across the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Region and Beyond,” underscored the remarkable strides made in investigator training and safety outcomes while highlighting the need for sustained cooperation and investment.
A major outcome of the gathering was the activation of BAGAIA’s Board of Directors.
The new governance framework, comprising heads of member states’ investigation bureaus, will oversee the agency’s strategic direction, evaluate the Commissioner’s activities, and strengthen accountability across the organisation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Captain Alex Badeh Jr, Director General of NSIB, emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration.
“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 cited Nigeria’s recent technical assistance to Liberia’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and support to Ghana in developing a flight data analysis laboratory as tangible examples of NSIB’s commitment to regional growth.
“We are celebrating collective wins today,” Badeh added. “They reflect our shared growth, our willingness to learn from one another, and our drive to raise standards across the subregion.”
He further stressed the need for the region’s investigative capacity to evolve in response to emerging challenges such as bird strikes, operational risks, and the integration of new aviation technologies.
BAGAIA Commissioner, Engineer Charles Irikefe Erhueh, commended NSIB’s leadership and urged member states to deepen their synergy to sustain the progress achieved so far. While acknowledging funding constraints.
He noted that the Abuja meeting reflected the growing determination of member states to strengthen investigative systems.
Also speaking, Mr. Yves Koning, EASA Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa and representative of the EU-ASA/BAGAIA partnership, described the EU’s technical cooperation with BAGAIA as “productive and transformative.”
He confirmed that although the EU-funded project supporting the agency concludes on July 31, discussions are underway to ensure sustained collaboration.
With funding strategies, performance reviews, and technical coordination topping the agenda, the 12th BAGAIA Commission Meeting marked a strategic milestone for regional aviation safety.
By hosting this edition, NSIB has once again demonstrated its commitment to capacity development, regional unity, and future-facing investigative excellence—setting the pace for Africa’s aviation safety ecosystem.
