- Aviation Ministry says NSIB works better under its current control
- Lawmakers argue relocation would boost independence and credibility
- Highlights deeper tensions over safety oversight reform
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has kicked against a proposed amendment seeking to move the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) from its oversight to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), describing the plan as unnecessary and counterproductive.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the move that has stirred debate within government circles, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has opposed a legislative proposal aimed at transferring the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
EDITOR’S PICK
- Alausa Flags Off Diaspora BRIDGE Initiative to Link Global Nigerian Talent with Local Institutions
- Oduah Family to Hold 8th-Day Friday Prayer in Honour of Late Alhaji Fatai Abiola Oduah
- Traditional Rulers, Legal Experts Call for Revival of Customary Law at ADR Training in Epe
At a recent public hearing by the House of Representatives, the ministry insisted that NSIB can still operate independently without being removed from its current oversight.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, who represented the Minister, said operational autonomy could be strengthened through internal reforms, not structural relocation. He argued that the proposed amendment to the NSIB Act (2022) risks complicating the agency’s effectiveness, especially in coordinating with aviation-related bodies like the NCAA and NAMA.
The disagreement reflects growing institutional tensions over how transport safety should be supervised across multiple sectors air, road, rail, and sea. The platform reported that while some officials favor keeping NSIB under the aviation ministry for efficiency, others fear such control could limit the bureau’s impartiality in multi-modal accident investigations
Meanwhile, Hon. Akinlade Isiaq, the bill’s sponsor, maintained that relocating the NSIB would allow it to operate without interference. Citing models from Canada, Japan, and the U.S., he said independent safety agencies abroad typically report directly to the executive arm, not a specific ministry. He further noted that NSIB’s current structure makes collaboration with agencies like the FRSC, NIWA, and NRC difficult, leading to fragmented investigations.
FURTHER READING
- American Airlines Plane Catches Fire in Denver, Passengers Evacuate
- All 31 Streets Renamed in Lagos: See Full List
- Driver Loses Control, Crushes Seller on Apapa-Oshodi Road
Supporting the bill, the SGF’s office, represented by Gagare Nadungu, said the amendment aligns with global best practices and would help the NSIB serve all transport sectors effectively. Similarly, the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs also backed the shift, saying the bureau needs autonomy to maintain credibility with the public.
As discussions continue in the National Assembly, observers say the final decision could set the tone for future reforms in Nigeria’s transport safety system, either by reinforcing institutional independence—or tightening operational coordination under one ministry.
