The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has firmly rejected a proposed amendment to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Act that seeks to transfer the agency’s oversight from the ministry to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
This position was made clear during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committees on Aviation and Special Duties on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Representing the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Kana, stressed that the NSIB—though a multi-modal safety investigation agency—remains deeply rooted in aviation, both in technical expertise and regulatory alignment.
“The NSIB plays a critical role in investigating safety incidents across aviation, rail, maritime, and road transport. But its foundation, operational standards, and global best practices are drawn from aviation, especially in line with protocols of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),” Kana said.
He warned that transferring the Bureau’s supervision to the SGF’s office could lead to serious setbacks, including the politicisation of operations, fragmented policy direction, and potential regulatory conflicts.
Kana outlined several benefits of retaining the NSIB under the aviation ministry’s supervision, including:
Preserving aviation-specific technical expertise
Maintaining compliance with ICAO regulations
Ensuring quick and efficient safety responses
Preventing bureaucratic delays
Supporting operational independence without interference
He noted that the Bureau’s independence is already safeguarded by law, with key appointments made directly by the President in accordance with ICAO’s Article 26.
Kana concluded by reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to transport safety and its willingness to collaborate with stakeholders to further enhance Nigeria’s investigative standards in line with global benchmarks.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Agbedi Frederick, described the public hearing as a crucial opportunity for stakeholders to shape the future of transport safety in Nigeria.
“This is more than a legislative formality—it is a call to strengthen Nigeria’s safety institutions for a more secure future,” Agbedi said.
The proposed amendment to the NSIB Act No. 35 of 2022 remains under review by the legislative committees.
