By Juliet Ezeh
President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) from the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to the Presidency in a move aimed at strengthening the independence of accident investigations in Nigeria.
The decision effectively removes the bureau from the control of the aviation ministry led by Festus Keyamo, bringing an end to months of debate over where the agency should be domiciled.
Documents obtained by journalists indicate that the President approved the restructuring after recommendations that the bureau would function more effectively if it reported directly to the Presidency.
Although the specific office within the Presidency that will oversee the agency has not yet been publicly announced, officials say the move is intended to enhance the credibility and transparency of accident investigations across Nigeria’s transport sector.
Push for Greater Independence
The proposal to relocate the bureau had earlier been put forward by Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit.
In a letter dated November 3, 2025, she advised that the bureau’s current position under the aviation ministry limited its ability to fully perform its mandate.
According to her, the agency investigates not only aviation incidents but also accidents involving rail, marine and other transportation systems.
She argued that global best practices require accident investigation bodies to operate independently from ministries responsible for regulating the sectors they investigate.
As an example, she cited the National Transportation Safety Board in the United States, which operates independently and reports at the highest level of government.
Presidential Approval Finalised
In response to the recommendation, Tinubu conveyed his approval through his Private Secretary, Damilola Aderemi, in a letter dated March 5, 2026.
The approval signals a major institutional shift for the bureau, which had previously operated under the aviation ministry as provided by its establishing legislation.
Long-Standing Debate
The question of where the bureau should report had sparked disagreements among stakeholders within Nigeria’s transport sector.
While the aviation ministry had pushed for the agency to remain under its supervision, some lawmakers and industry stakeholders argued that it should be moved to the Presidency or another neutral office to guarantee operational autonomy.
During a public hearing held by the National Assembly in 2025, the then Permanent Secretary in the aviation ministry, Abubakar Kana, urged lawmakers to retain the agency under the ministry while strengthening its operational framework.
However, advocates for the relocation maintained that removing the bureau from ministerial control would improve public trust in its findings and ensure impartial accident investigations.
Agency Seeks Stronger Role
The NSIB is responsible for investigating transportation accidents across air, land and water sectors in Nigeria.
Over the years, the bureau has repeatedly called for stronger funding and greater independence to improve its capacity to conduct safety investigations.
Analysts say the relocation to the Presidency could strengthen its authority and enhance coordination across multiple transportation sectors.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.