NSIB Marine Casualty Investigation Regulations Committee completes Technical and Consultation Visits Across Nigeria

As part of the ongoing effort to establish comprehensive and practical Marine Casualty Investigation Regulations for Nigeria, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has undertaken a series of nationwide technical visits and stakeholder consultations. This initiative is in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code and reflects NSIB’s commitment to enhancing safety and investigative standards in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Commissioned by the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr, the Marine Casualty Investigation Regulations Committee—chaired by Engr. Abdullahi Babanya—has conducted extensive field engagements across key maritime locations, including Lokoja and Ganaja in Kogi State, Agatu in Benue State, Baro in Niger State, and the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos State.

These visits, which complement peer reviews and multi-modal accident investigation frameworks, were crucial for evaluating the operational realities of Nigeria’s inland waterways and coastal environments. The Committee engaged with various government agencies and private sector stakeholders to ensure that the resulting regulations are not only internationally compliant but also tailored to the unique challenges and structures within the Nigerian maritime domain.

Speaking on the initiative, Capt. Martins Avaan, Technical Adviser to the DG/CEO, emphasized that the Committee’s approach mirrored Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr, DG/CEO ‘s vision for NSIB to develop an adapted regulatory framework that reflects local operational contexts while aligning with global best practices. “Through these engagements, we aim to deliver contextually relevant regulations that will strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to investigate marine casualties, enhance safety, and ultimately save lives on our waterways and coastal waters,” he stated.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Regulations, when finalized, will further operationalize the NSIB Act 2022, which mandates the Bureau to investigate accidents across all modes of transportation, including marine, rail, air, and others.

The NSIB remains committed to building a world-class safety investigation system that supports the prevention of future occurrences, ensures transparency, and promotes safety across Nigeria’s transportation networks.

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