Nigeria hosts BAGAIA summit, reaffirms regional safety leadership

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) recently hosted the 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA), reinforcing Nigeria’s rising leadership in aviation safety and cross-border accident investigation collaboration within the West African subregion.

Held in Abuja from July 28 to 29, the high-level event convened heads and representatives from accident investigation bureaus of BAGAIA member states, including Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone. The forum centered on strengthening regional coordination, harmonizing policy strategies, and addressing emerging aviation threats.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Collective Wins in Capacity Building and Aviation Safety Across the Banjul Accord Group Region and Beyond,” emphasized both achievements and the persistent challenges in elevating aviation safety standards.

Participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to enhancing investigative capacity, fostering the exchange of technical expertise, and promoting seamless collaboration across national boundaries.

Key Milestone: Inauguration of BAGAIA Board of Directors

One of the key milestones from the meeting was the formal activation of BAGAIA’s Board of Directors. Comprising heads of national investigation bureaus, the newly established Board will play a transformative role in the agency’s governance—providing strategic oversight, monitoring the Commissioner’s activities, and strengthening institutional accountability.

During the opening ceremony, NSIB Director-General Captain Alex Badeh welcomed delegates and emphasized the importance of unified regional efforts in tackling aviation incidents that often cross national borders.

“Cooperation among member states is not just a goal but the foundation of our success,” Badeh stated. “Aviation incidents transcend borders and demand seamless collaboration. We must move as one.”

He cited examples of Nigeria’s active support for fellow member states—such as technical assistance to Liberia’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and efforts to help Ghana develop a flight data analysis laboratory—as tangible proof of NSIB’s dedication to regional advancement.

“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 also noted the need for continuous evolution in aviation safety strategies to tackle modern-day challenges like bird strikes, operational risks, and technological disruptions.

Nigeria’s Growing Role in Continental Aviation Oversight

The event spotlighted Nigeria’s preparedness to shape the future of aviation accident investigation in Africa. With an expanding investigative capacity, improved tools, and advanced training infrastructure, the NSIB is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of continental aviation collaboration.

BAGAIA Commissioner Charles Irikefe Erhueh commended NSIB’s leadership and urged all member states to remain focused and collaborative, even in the face of financial limitations.

“NSIB’s leadership is commendable,” he said, stressing the importance of sustained synergy and resilience to improve aviation safety across the Banjul Accord Group region.

EU Partnership and Sustained Collaboration

Representing the EU-ASA/BAGAIA partnership, EASA Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Yves Koning, lauded the ongoing technical collaboration as both productive and transformative. He acknowledged the scheduled conclusion of the EU-funded BAGAIA support project on July 31 but reassured participants that engagement and collaboration channels would remain open.

“Although the EU-funded project concludes, we are confident that the progress made will continue through other forms of cooperation,” he affirmed.

Looking Ahead

With discussions ranging from performance evaluations and funding strategies to long-term technical planning, the 12th BAGAIA Commission Meeting marks a critical moment for aviation safety oversight in West Africa. It not only showcased Nigeria’s commitment to aviation excellence but also solidified NSIB’s role as a central driver in shaping the future of aviation safety across the continent.