Capt. Badeh Jnr., the Director-General of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said that the hosting of the 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) by the bureau has further strengthened its leadership role in the promotion of aviation safety and investigative cooperation across West Africa.
A statement by Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB said that the two days event held in Abuja on 28 through July 29, 2025, had in attendance representatives and heads of accident investigation bureaus from member states, including Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone.
The statement hinted that delegates engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening regional coordination, streamlining policy direction, and addressing emerging threats to aviation safety.
This year’s theme: ‘Celebrating Our Collective Wins in Capacity Building and Aviation Safety Across the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Region and Beyond,’ the statement said captured both the measurable strides taken and the pressing responsibilities that remained.
Badeh Jnr, noted that the meeting further affirmed the region’s growing ability to share expertise, develop investigators and improve safety outcomes.
He added that it also reminded every participating state that progress depended on consistency, cooperation, and continuous investment in people and systems.
Badeh expressed the need for unity and responsiveness in addressing cross-border aviation challenges.
He harped on cooperation among member states as not just a goal, but as the foundation of the sector’s success.
“Aviation incidents transcend borders and demand seamless collaboration. We must move as one,” he added.
Besides, he highlighted Nigeria’s recent technical support to Liberia’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and efforts to assist Ghana in developing a flight data analysis laboratory, describing them as examples of how NSIB translates regional commitments into practical outcomes.
According to him, the regional aviation safety cooperation must evolve to address new threats, including bird strikes, operational risks, and emerging technologies.
Badeh emphasised the need for unity and responsiveness in addressing cross-border aviation challenges.
However, at the heart of the meeting was the activation of BAGAIA’s Board of Directors, an initiative that would transform governance within the agency.
The board, comprising heads of national investigation bureaus, would oversee BAGAIA’s strategic direction, monitor the commissioner’s activities and ensure accountability.
Commenting on the initiative, Engr. Charles Erhueh, Commissioner of BAGAIA said that the board would provide policy direction to BAGAIA and streamline decision-making.
He clarified that a Chairman would be elected from among the members, while the BAGAIA Commissioner would serve as Board Secretary.
According to him, the official document to establish this board was signed by the Council of Ministers in English by five member states on May 22, 2025.
He added that the implementation had taken full effect, and translations in French and Portuguese would be completed and endorsed by the Council of Ministers of member states during the 42nd Session of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada in September, 2025.
He added: “These alignments have expanded cooperation beyond West Africa, extending to Eastern and Southern Africa.”