BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Sierra Leone Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau (SL-AAIIB) have formalised a wide-ranging partnership to strengthen aircraft accident investigations, expand data sharing, and accelerate capacity building across West Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the NSIB headquarters in Abuja in the presence of senior officials from both organisations, establishes a structured framework for cooperation in joint investigations, technical exchanges, and professional training.
The agreement is designed to improve the quality, speed, and consistency of air safety investigations in both countries.
The MoU provides for collaborative investigations, secondment of personnel, and the exchange of safety data and technical expertise.
It also covers specialised areas such as flight recorder analysis, access to investigative tools and equipment, and participation in each other’s investigations as accredited representatives, in line with global aviation protocols.
Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr, said the agreement signals a shared resolve to raise investigative standards and enhance aviation safety outcomes across the sub-region.
“This partnership reflects our collective commitment to maintaining high standards in aviation safety investigation across West Africa. It creates a clear pathway for deeper cooperation between Nigeria and Sierra Leone, strengthening the systems of both institutions.
“When investigators share knowledge, tools, and experience, response time improves, findings become more precise, and the focus remains on preventing future occurrences. That is what this partnership is designed to achieve,” he said.
Badeh noted that the collaboration aligns with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), particularly those contained in Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention, which governs aircraft accident and incident investigations globally.
A major pillar of the agreement is human capital development. Under the MoU, investigators from both countries will participate in structured training programmes, including opportunities to observe live investigations and engage in hands-on learning.
This approach is expected to sharpen technical competence, deepen procedural knowledge, and build a stronger pool of skilled investigators in the region.
Beyond training, the agreement also enables the deployment of expert teams—ranging from flight recorder specialists to forensic investigators—to support inquiries conducted by either bureau.
While such technical assistance will be provided at no cost, the requesting country will cover associated logistics, including travel, accommodation, and subsistence.
Commissioner of SL-AAIIB, Engineer Olubunmi Wellington, described the pact as a milestone for regional collaboration and a boost to investigative capability in West Africa.
“This partnership presents a strong opportunity for SL-AAIIB and the wider West African aviation community to build more effective investigative systems through structured collaboration.
Through our engagement with NSIB, our investigators will gain access to advanced training, improved investigative methods, and the shared experience of a leading safety investigation authority in the region,” she said.
Both agencies reiterated their commitment to the guiding principle of Annex 13—that the primary aim of accident and incident investigations is prevention, not the assignment of blame or liability.
This shared philosophy, they noted, underpins the partnership and will guide all collaborative activities.
The agreement also reinforces cooperation within the Banjul Accord Group (BAG), a regional framework that promotes collaboration among West African aviation authorities.
As members of BAG, both NSIB and SL-AAIIB are expected to leverage this partnership to support broader regional safety objectives.
With air travel expanding steadily across West Africa, pressure on safety oversight and investigative systems is intensifying.
Industry stakeholders say partnerships like this are critical to ensuring that accident investigations remain thorough, timely, and capable of generating actionable safety recommendations.
By pooling resources, sharing expertise, and standardising investigative practices, both agencies say they are positioning themselves to respond more effectively to aviation incidents.
The ultimate goal, officials say, is safer skies, built on stronger institutions, better-trained investigators, and a shared commitment to learning from every incident.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
