Sade Williams/Business a.m.
Transport stakeholders in Nigeria have been urged to prioritise the implementation of safety recommendations derived from Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB ) investigations.
Festus Keyamo, aviation and aerospace development minister who made the call, warned that “ignored lessons lead to repeated tragedies.”
Keyamo, who noted that investigations alone are insufficient; added that their actual value lies in the adoption of safety recommendations.
The minister also advocated for inter-ministerial task forces to ensure follow-through and accountability across sectors.
He made these calls in his keynote address at the recent Multimodal Transportation Stakeholders’ Workshop themed: Strengthening Transport Safety Standards Through Collaboration’ organized by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in Abuja.
According to him, “The NSIB’s final reports, which must be published within 12 months for major accidents, provide actionable insights from enhanced crew training to infrastructure upgrades. Stakeholders must prioritise these recommendations by integrating them into policies, allocating resources for implementation, and monitoring compliance. In aviation, we have adopted NSIB’s past suggestions on fatigue management and runway safety, yielding tangible improvements.
“I call on my counterparts in the transportation and marine sectors to do the same. Let us establish inter-ministerial task forces to track and enforce these recommendations, ensuring accountability at every level,” he said.
He also called for deeper collaboration across all modes of transportation in Nigeria to achieve a seamless and safer transport ecosystem.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister lauded the NSIB for convening the timely forum themed “Strengthening Transport Safety Standards Through Collaboration.”
He commended the presence of fellow ministers, namely, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali (transportation) and Adegboyega Oyetola, (marine and blue economy), whose attendance underscored the Tinubu administration’s collective resolve to overhaul transport safety standards across Nigeria’s critical infrastructure.
Keyamo also recognised the leadership of the director general of NSIB, Alex Badeh Jnr., and applauded the expert contributions of distinguished speakers including Dennis Jones, former managing director of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board; Seyi Sijuwade, former managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation; and retired vice admiral Dele Ezeoba, former Chief of Naval Staff.
Keyamo also emphasised the role of transportation as the “lifeblood of any nation’s economy,” connecting people, goods, and services. However, he warned that such connectivity comes with the grave responsibility of ensuring safety across all platforms — air, rail, marine, and road.
“As the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, I am acutely aware of the unique challenges facing our sector — from air traffic control to aircraft maintenance and climate-related disruptions. But safety knows no boundaries. An incident on the railway can affect air cargo logistics. A marine mishap can hinder road access to ports. Our systems are interlinked. That is why a multimodal, collaborative approach is not optional — it is essential,” he declared.
The minister praised the NSIB’s statutory mandate, established under the 2022 Act, which empowers it to conduct independent investigations into occurrences across all modes of transportation. He hailed the Bureau’s regulatory reforms focused on prevention rather than blame, and urged stakeholders — including the NCAA, NIMASA, NIWA, and NRC — to break down silos by sharing data, collaborating on training, and leveraging technologies such as AI-powered predictive safety tools.
Keyamo stressed the urgency of timely investigations, noting that delayed probes often prolong uncertainty for victims and allow hazards to persist.
“The NSIB’s requirement to begin serious investigations within seven days, coupled with the commitment to publish final reports within 12 months, aligns with global best practices,” he said, citing the U.S. NTSB as a benchmark.
“The path to zero accidents requires unwavering collaboration and teamwork. Let this workshop serve as a catalyst to forge partnerships that transcend traditional boundaries. Together, we can build resilient systems: from safer skies to smarter railways, secure maritime corridors, and accident-free roadways,” he said.
He however, affirmed the government’s continued support for the NSIB through strategic funding, capacity development, and enabling policy environments.
