Nigeria has once again cemented its position as a leading force in regional aviation safety oversight by hosting the 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA). The high-level summit, organized by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), took place in Abuja from July 28 to 29, 2025.
The event gathered aviation safety chiefs and experts from BAGAIA member states—including Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone—to deliberate on improving cross-border investigation capacity, aligning safety protocols, and responding effectively to new threats in the aviation space.
With the theme “Celebrating Our Collective Wins in Capacity Building and Aviation Safety Across the Banjul Accord Group Region and Beyond,” the two-day meeting emphasized collaboration, technical support, and the sharing of best practices as essential pillars for regional growth in aviation safety.
A key highlight of the summit was the activation of BAGAIA’s Board of Directors, made up of the heads of national accident investigation bureaus. This board is expected to provide strategic direction, ensure greater accountability, and enhance the operational governance of BAGAIA moving forward.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation in aviation safety. He cited recent examples of technical support extended by the NSIB to member countries—such as Liberia’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and Ghana’s efforts to develop a flight data analysis lab—as proof of Nigeria’s leadership in the region.
“Aviation incidents transcend borders and demand seamless collaboration. Cooperation among member states is not just a goal—it is the foundation of our success,” Badeh stated.
He further emphasized the need for continuous adaptation in the face of evolving risks such as bird strikes, operational challenges, and emerging technologies disrupting aviation systems.
The event also featured remarks from BAGAIA Commissioner Charles Irikefe Erhueh, who commended the NSIB’s leadership and underscored the urgency of building a sustainable framework for regional investigation activities. He urged member states to maintain synergy and innovation, despite existing financial constraints.
“NSIB’s support and vision have been exemplary. We must keep the momentum going,” Erhueh added.
Representing the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Yves Koning, EASA’s Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, spoke on the collaborative success of the EU-funded BAGAIA support project, which is set to conclude on July 31, 2025. He assured attendees that despite the official closure of the project, avenues for ongoing technical cooperation would remain open.
“Though the current EU project concludes, the progress we’ve made together will carry on through new partnerships,” Koning noted.
Throughout the summit, discussions covered crucial areas including performance evaluations, technical resource development, funding sustainability, and long-term investigative strategies aimed at elevating the safety standards of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) region.
The NSIB, under the leadership of Captain Badeh, has recently ramped up its international presence, advocating for a harmonized approach to aviation incident reporting, analysis, and response. As aviation activity increases across West Africa, Nigeria’s central role in institutionalizing aviation safety and investigation best practices continues to grow.
BAGAIA, formed under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is designed to serve as a regional mechanism for strengthening safety oversight, promoting mutual assistance, and reducing duplication of efforts in accident investigations among member states.
The success of the Abuja summit signals a new chapter for regional air safety cooperation—one anchored on unity, technical advancement, and leadership driven by Nigeria.