FG Boosts Transport Safety as NSIB Gets Presidency Oversight

Nigeria has taken steps to improve coordination in its transport safety system following a new reform that places the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) under the Presidency, in a move aimed at enhancing independence, efficiency, and inter-agency collaboration.

At a recent stakeholders’ engagement, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, explained that the decision was approved to eliminate bureaucratic delays and strengthen the neutrality of accident investigations across the transport sector.

He noted that the reform will allow the Office of the National Security Adviser (Office of the National Security Adviser) to provide coordination and oversight support, especially in cases involving systemic failures or operational lapses within transport-related agencies.

The Director-General of NSIB, Badeh Jr., said previous investigations in late 2025 and early 2026 were hampered by jurisdictional overlaps and delays in accessing critical operational data. He added that the new arrangement would improve evidence preservation, incident reporting, and coordinated responses among relevant agencies.

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Plans are also underway to amend the NSIB Establishment Act 2022 to reflect the new structure, with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation expected to lead the drafting process in collaboration with stakeholders.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the restructuring aligns Nigeria’s transport safety framework with international best practices. She referenced models such as the United States National Transportation Safety Board and similar agencies in Canada and France, which operate independently of sector regulators.

According to the stakeholders, inter-agency standard operating procedures will be developed within 30 days, while memoranda of understanding will be concluded within 60 days to guide implementation of the new framework.

They also agreed to commence legislative amendments required for full implementation, with participants pledging stronger cooperation through coordinated operational protocols aimed at improving transport safety outcomes nationwide.