…Target Stronger Emergency
Response, ICAO Standards
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have commenced efforts to strengthen collaboration on providing timely and coordinated support to victims of aircraft accidents and their families, as Nigeria moves to align its emergency response system with international aviation standards.
The renewed commitment emerged during a high-level meeting in Abuja between the National Family Assistance Coordination Committee, coordinated by the NSIB, and senior officials of the NCAA.
The meeting focused on enhancing institutional coordination, improving capacity building and advancing the implementation of Family Assistance programmes across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Leading the NSIB delegation was the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, while the NCAA team was headed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu.
Speaking during the meeting, Adebayo-Arowojobe explained that the National Family Assistance Coordination Committee operates under a multimodal transportation framework covering aviation, maritime, rail and other modes of transport.
She said the engagement with the NCAA was aimed specifically at strengthening collaboration on aviation disaster victims and family assistance.
According to her, the discussions examined the objectives of the Family Assistance Programme, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) policy on assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families, the mandate of the National Family Assistance Coordination Committee, the statutory responsibilities of the NSIB, the complementary role of the NCAA and areas where both agencies can work together.
She described Family Assistance as a critical component of transportation safety management and emergency response.
“Family Assistance is an essential component of transportation safety management and emergency response.
“The programme is designed to provide coordinated institutional support that preserves the dignity of victims, ensures families receive timely and accurate information, facilitates access to essential services and promotes compassionate engagement throughout the post-occurrence process,” she said.
Adebayo-Arowojobe stressed that effective implementation of the programme would depend on sustained collaboration among transportation agencies and strict adherence to international best practices.
Responding on behalf of the NCAA, Achimugu welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to working closely with the NSIB to institutionalise Family Assistance within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He noted that continuous training and retraining of personnel would be critical to the success of the initiative.
“Continuous training and retraining of personnel is essential to ensure agencies remain prepared to provide professional and coordinated support whenever the need arises,” Achimugu said.
Both agencies agreed to pursue practical areas of collaboration, including joint capacity-building programmes, knowledge sharing, stakeholder sensitisation and the development of sustainable mechanisms for implementing Family Assistance initiatives in line with global best practices.
The partnership is expected to improve coordination among aviation agencies during emergencies, ensuring that victims’ families receive accurate information, emotional support and access to relevant services in a structured and compassionate manner.
Family Assistance has become an increasingly important pillar of aviation safety worldwide, with the International Civil Aviation Organisation requiring member states to establish systems that provide organised care and communication for victims and their families following aviation accidents.
Industry stakeholders say stronger collaboration between the NSIB and NCAA will enhance Nigeria’s emergency preparedness, improve institutional response during aviation crises and reinforce public confidence in the country’s aviation safety framework.
The initiative also reflects ongoing efforts by both agencies to strengthen aviation safety beyond accident prevention by ensuring that families affected by air disasters receive coordinated care, timely information and support in accordance with international standards.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
