The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said its final report on the recent Abuja-Kaduna train derailment will be ready and submitted to relevant authorities by September 25, 2025. The agency, however, expressed concern over inadequate funding, warning that financial challenges are hindering its capacity to deliver on its mandate of ensuring transportation safety.
The Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, disclosed this in Abuja while addressing journalists on the progress of the investigation. He explained that though some funds had been released, they were far below what was required for critical operations such as training investigators, acquiring modern equipment, and ensuring timely investigations. According to him, the bureau was still struggling with non-remittances from agencies like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which has further compounded the financial strain.
“Although some funds were made available, they are not enough,” Badeh said. “We must train our investigators, we need to train more investigators, and we need equipment for investigation. This is a government agency that should be adequately funded. Safety investigations cannot be done halfway.”
Despite the funding challenges, Badeh confirmed that the bureau had made significant progress in its probe of the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment. An Investigator-in-Charge has been appointed to lead the process in collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other stakeholders. The team has secured the accident site and preserved critical evidence, including CCTV footage and other materials that will be analysed to determine the exact cause of the derailment.
Official figures show that there were 583 people on board the train at the time of the incident, including crew members. While eyewitnesses initially claimed that as many as 50 people were injured, official records confirmed that 12 passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate levels. Thankfully, there were no fatalities. Those injured were given first aid at the scene before being transferred to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
The NSIB emphasised that the investigation is being conducted independently and in line with global best practices. The agency said it was important that no judicial or administrative body interferes with the process to ensure credibility and accuracy of the findings. Badeh also appealed to the public to avoid speculating about the cause of the derailment, insisting that only the bureau’s official report should be relied upon. He assured Nigerians that the report would be made public within 30 days of the incident.
The Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor has become one of Nigeria’s busiest routes, serving thousands of passengers weekly as an alternative to the often unsafe highways. This has made railway safety a top concern for government, passengers, and investors. Analysts say the outcome of the NSIB investigation will be crucial for restoring public confidence in the system and guiding future safety protocols.
Badeh stressed that the bureau’s work is not just about assigning blame but about learning lessons to prevent a recurrence. He noted that timely and well-funded investigations could save lives and help the government improve its transport infrastructure. According to him, when accidents happen, investigators need adequate tools to identify root causes and make recommendations that policymakers and operators can implement.
Transportation experts have also warned that without adequate funding, the bureau may not be able to deliver on its mandate effectively. They argue that safety investigations are capital intensive and require continuous capacity building, modern technology, and international collaboration. The bureau’s appeal has therefore reignited the debate about the Federal Government’s priorities, with critics insisting that underfunding critical agencies poses serious risks to national safety.
While the NSIB has set September 25 as the deadline for submission of its final report, stakeholders believe that the bigger challenge is how to ensure that the recommendations are implemented. In the past, reports of investigative agencies have sometimes been ignored or left to gather dust. The NSIB, however, expressed confidence that this report would be different, stressing that the Federal Government has already shown interest in the outcome.
As Nigerians await the findings, passengers continue to demand stronger safety measures on the rail system. For many, the Abuja-Kaduna line represents not just a vital transport link but also a symbol of government’s promise to provide safe and reliable alternatives to road travel. The NSIB hopes its report will provide solutions that will strengthen the nation’s railway safety culture and reassure the public of government’s commitment to their wellbeing.
