The Director General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jr., has called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to urgently address the agency’s funding shortfall to strengthen its capacity to prevent future transportation accidents.
Speaking on the derailment of the Abuja–Kaduna passenger train at Asham Station on August 26, 2025, Captain Badeh Jr. warned that inadequate resources risk making Nigeria’s accident response reactive rather than preventive.
He stressed that while the NSIB has been able to carry out its mandate across aviation, rail, and maritime sectors, the lack of advanced investigation equipment and sufficient training for investigators remains a major limitation.
“It almost seems like we wait for accidents and become reactionary. At the NSIB, we are trying to prevent these accidents. But to do that effectively, we must be adequately funded and trained, especially with the expansion of rail services in Nigeria.”
The call for support comes as the NSIB launches an independent investigation into the derailment of train AK1, operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), which left 12 passengers injured and caused major disruption along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor.
The train, carrying 583 people, derailed shortly after passing a track-changing point at Asham Station, with five coaches leaving the track and the forward locomotive overturning.
Emergency teams from the NRC, supported by security agencies, secured the site and evacuated passengers.
Although no fatalities were recorded, the incident caused significant damage to the rail infrastructure, forcing a temporary suspension of services.
The NSIB DG explained that the investigation would focus on uncovering the causes and contributing factors of the derailment without assigning blame, in line with the Railways (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulation 2024.
Investigators will analyse recorded data from the train, review NRC operational records, and conduct technical examinations of the locomotives and coaches while the findings will inform safety recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence.
He assured that the NSIB is committed to transparency and will release updates as the investigation progresses, including interim statements if necessary.
“Our ultimate objective is to enhance railway safety in Nigeria”.
Captain Badeh Jr noted that safety recommendations from this and other investigations will be closely monitored for implementation.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen