The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced the completion of two regulatory instruments aimed at standardising safety investigations in the country’s maritime and rail transport sectors.
In a statement by the Bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the new frameworks are titled NSIB Casualty Investigation Regulations for the maritime sector and Rail and Track Accident Investigation Regulations for the rail mode.
The development marks a major expansion of the NSIB’s mandate under the NSIB Act of 2022, positioning the agency to oversee safety investigations beyond aviation and into other critical modes of transportation.
The Bureau said the new regulations are tailored to Nigeria’s transport realities while aligning with global standards such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code and international rail safety protocols.
NSIB Director General, Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr, described the initiative as a shift from routine investigations to actionable outcomes that can prevent future accidents.
“The goal is not merely to investigate accidents,” he said, “but to ensure that every finding and recommendation becomes a cornerstone for safer transportation in Nigeria.”
The Bureau said it is adopting a multimodal approach to transport safety, building on its aviation investigation experience based on ICAO Annex 13.
Through extensive stakeholder consultations and field assessments across jetties, ports, waterways, and rail lines, the NSIB developed the new frameworks to reflect Nigeria’s operating environment.
While the Bureau will continue to independently investigate incidents and issue safety recommendations, the implementation of those recommendations lies with other agencies.
It has therefore called on key stakeholders—including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC)—to strengthen their internal safety mechanisms.
“Safety recommendations are not mere reports; they are calls to action,” said Capt. Badeh. “The real impact of our work is seen when our findings are used to prevent future tragedies.”
As Nigeria’s transport network continues to expand, the NSIB stressed the importance of integrating safety data across all modes to form a unified national safety strategy.
The Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a resilient, world-class safety culture across all sectors of Nigeria’s transport system.