L-R: Capt Alex Badeh Jr., Director General, NSIB and Engr Olubunmi Wellington, Commissioner of the Sierra Leone Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau, SL-AAIIB.
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, and the Sierra Leone Air Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau, SL-AAIIB, have entered into a collaboration to strengthen incident and accident investigations with the view to enhancing air safety standards on the west coast of Africa.
The agreement was signed at the NSIB headquarters in Abuja and witnessed by members of the management teams of both institutions.
The Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, jointly signed, provides the framework for collaboration, enabling both organisations to conduct joint investigations, exchange expertise, and support each other in improving aviation safety outcomes across their jurisdictions.
The MOU encourages both parties to engage in training programs, exchange of investigators, sharing of safety data and technical knowledge. The partnership also extends to flight recorder analysis, access to investigative equipment, and participation in each other’s investigations as accredited representatives, in line with international aviation standards
Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening investigative capacity and improving safety across the region.
He added that the agreement reinforces both organisations’ commitment to upholding the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) contained in Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Engr. Olubunmi Wellington, Commissioner of the Sierra Leone Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau, SL-AAIIB, described the agreement as a significant step toward strengthening investigative systems across the region.
“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.”
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to the principle set out in Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention that the primary objective of aircraft accident and incident investigation is the prevention of future occurrences, not the apportionment of blame or determination of liability.
The MoU also reflects the shared commitment of Accident Investigation Authorities within the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) to support one another in air accident investigation activities. As members of this regional body, both NSIB and SL-AAIIB continue to strengthen cooperation to improve aviation safety across West Africa.
This partnership comes at a time when aviation activity across West Africa continues to grow, placing greater demand on safety systems and investigative capacity. By combining resources and expertise, both agencies are better positioned to respond to aircraft accidents and serious incidents, conduct thorough investigations, and implement safety recommendations that contribute
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