NSIB, UK universities enhance capacity in transport accident investigation 

• Train own personnel, military in multimodal transport accident investigation

Sade Williams/Business a.m.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), working with two universities in the United Kingdom, recently kicked off a multimodal transport accident investigation training, featuring participants from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside NSIB officials.

In a statement made available to Business a.m., the Bureau said the initiative reflects its dedication to enhancing transportation safety across sectors, and that it aligns with the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo’s broader agenda for enhancing the aviation and transport industries.

The training is being facilitated by renowned global experts, including faculties from Cranfield University and Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom, as well as specialists from Nigeria’s Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) and other prestigious organisations.

The programme is designed to equip both NSIB personnel and military investigators with advanced skills and global best practices to enhance transport investigation in Nigeria.

This training marks a significant milestone for NSIB in its mission to deliver world-class transportation investigations and provide preventive measures. It enhances the Bureau’s ability to manage complex investigations, improve safety standards, and reduce future incidents.

The integration of military personnel alongside NSIB’s junior and senior investigators fosters a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring comprehensive knowledge transfer and cross-sectoral cooperation, essential for ensuring transportation safety in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding economy.

Speaking on the importance of the programme, Alex Badeh Jr., director general, NSIB said: “The goal of this programme is not only to improve our technical investigation skills but to ensure we have the capacity to address the increasing complexity of Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure. By involving military institutions and incorporating international expertise, we’re building a safety culture that will benefit all Nigerians.”

The training aligns with NSIB’s strategic goals of improving investigative efficiency, ensuring transparency in safety reports, and proactively preventing future incidents through effective risk management. These objectives are in line with Festus Keyamo’s vision for the aviation sector, which emphasises raising safety standards, building capacity, and modernising safety protocols in line with global advancements, Badeh Jr. said in a statement.

The outcome of this training will significantly enhance NSIB’s capacity to conduct thorough, impartial investigations and contribute to accident prevention, ultimately saving lives.

A statement by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, director, public affairs and family assistance, said this initiative is key to the Bureau’s long-term vision of becoming a leading authority in transportation safety across Africa, positioning Nigeria as a model for safety practices in the region.

“As Nigeria continues to expand its transport infrastructure, NSIB’s role in ensuring safety becomes increasingly critical. This training represents a substantial investment in human capital, essential for meeting the country’s growing transportation safety demands,” the statement reads.