The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has rejected claims made in a U.S. State Department report alleging that Nigerian airports are generally unsafe, particularly in the wake of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of prominent banker, Herbert Wigwe.
Speaking during a live television programme, NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Bade Jr, acknowledged certain challenges—such as inadequate perimeter fencing and occasional wildlife intrusions at some Nigerian airports—but strongly disagreed with the blanket characterization of the country’s aviation facilities as unsafe.
“These issues are not exclusive to Nigeria. Wildlife intrusions and fencing gaps are problems encountered at airports around the world, including in the United States,” he said.
Bade Jr. commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for ongoing infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing safety standards across the country’s airports.
Addressing the investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, the NSIB boss corrected public assumptions about the Bureau’s role. He explained that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) led the investigation, while the NSIB participated as an interested party, receiving regular updates.
According to Bade Jr., the NTSB’s final report identified spatial disorientation as the likely cause of the crash. It also cited deficiencies in the operator’s safety management systems and oversight as contributing factors.
In a related development, Captain Bade also clarified details regarding a recent incident at Asaba Airport, where an aircraft encountered animals on the runway. He confirmed that the airline involved was fined but that the flight proceeded to Abuja without sustaining any damage.
The NSIB reiterated its commitment to enhancing aviation safety and called for a more balanced and context-driven understanding of Nigeria’s airport operations on the global stage.
