The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced a strategic partnership with ASKY Airlines to promote a data-driven and preventive approach to aviation safety across West Africa.
This development was revealed in a statement signed by the Director-General of NSIB, Alex Badeh Jr., following a high-level visit to the headquarters of ASKY Airlines in Lomé, Togo.
During the visit, Badeh emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in maintaining high safety standards in the aviation sector. He stated that aviation safety must be treated as a shared responsibility among West African countries.
“This visit goes beyond being a gesture of goodwill; it is a deliberate step towards building a network of trust, cooperation, and accountability in West African aviation,” Badeh said. “We believe that together, through shared knowledge and operational integrity, we can ensure the skies remain safe for all.”
Badeh explained that NSIB is adopting a forward-looking, preventive approach to aviation safety rather than waiting to react after accidents occur. He said the Bureau is now anchored on science, data, and innovation to detect and mitigate risks before they turn into incidents.
“We are moving away from a system where aviation rules are written in response to tragedy,” he said. “This shift enables us to detect risks before they escalate into incidents, spot trends before they become statistics, and prevent tomorrow’s accidents today.”
Badeh stressed that the new approach requires open collaboration with aviation stakeholders and the development of systems rooted in knowledge exchange and mutual trust.
The partnership between NSIB and ASKY Airlines will focus on aligning aviation safety investigation procedures with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It will also include mutual support frameworks, joint training programmes, and improved information sharing to strengthen accident investigation capabilities in the region.
In response, the Chief Executive Officer of ASKY Airlines, Mesfin Hailu, described the partnership as a strategic and timely initiative. He praised NSIB’s leadership and noted that the partnership will help the airline stay aligned with global aviation safety best practices.
“We are honoured to host the Director-General and his team. At ASKY Airlines, our priority is to meet and exceed safety standards,” Hailu said. “Collaboration with investigative authorities like the NSIB helps us remain responsive, transparent, and fully aligned with international best practices.”
ASKY Airlines, based in Lomé, is a key regional carrier in West and Central Africa and operates in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines. The airline has grown to become one of the major players in the sub-region, offering critical connectivity between cities and supporting economic integration.
The partnership is part of NSIB’s broader vision of fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety awareness across the aviation ecosystem in West Africa. According to Badeh, the long-term success of aviation in the region depends on present-day collaboration and capacity building.
“The future of aviation in West Africa depends on how well we collaborate today,” he concluded.
The NSIB is Nigeria’s lead agency for investigating air, rail, marine, and other transportation accidents. The Bureau recently expanded its capacity and scope of operations under the NSIB Act, which seeks to position it as a regional leader in accident investigation and transportation safety oversight.
