INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR COMMEMORATING AIR CRASH VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

[Abuja, Nigeria, February 20, 2026]

Today, on February 20—the International Day Commemorating Air Crash Victims and Their Families — we pause to honour their sacrifices.
This is not merely a date on the calendar. It is a moment to remember the lives lost in aviation accidents, to acknowledge the profound grief carried by families, friends, and communities, and to reflect on the human stories behind every tragedy.
Each accident report represents far more than technical findings. Behind every statistic is a name—a mother or father, a child, a colleague, a friend—someone with dreams, plans, and loved ones awaiting their return. Their journeys ended too soon, yet their memory continues to shape our purpose.
To every family enduring the pain of such loss, we stand with you. Your resilience in the face of sorrow reminds us why safety in aviation is not only a professional obligation but a moral imperative.
Aviation unites the world, connecting people across borders, cultures, and generations. With that connection comes a solemn responsibility: to ensure that every person who boards an aircraft can do so with confidence that they will reach their destination safely and be reunited with those who await them.
At the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, we carry this responsibility with humility and unwavering commitment. Our work goes beyond determining the causes of accidents; it seeks to transform those hard-earned lessons into concrete measures that prevent recurrence—here in Nigeria and, through global cooperation, around the world.
Aviation safety is a shared endeavour. No country acts in isolation. We must continue to collaborate, to exchange knowledge freely, and to implement recommendations diligently—every failure to act risks repeating history.
Let this day of remembrance, therefore, be equally a day of resolve: resolve to deepen partnerships, to invest in training and innovation, and to ensure that safety recommendations are not merely documented but actively embedded in practice.
As we bow our heads in silent tribute to those we have lost, let us also look forward with determination. Let us work toward a future in which the skies remain symbols of possibility, connection, and hope—a future in which families can bid farewell at the airport knowing they will soon embrace their loved ones again.
On behalf of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, I extend our deepest condolences to all who mourn and our firmest commitment to all who travel by air.
May the memory of those we honour today continue to inspire us. May our collective efforts ensure that their legacy becomes safer skies for every generation to come.
Thank you.
Capt. Alex Sabundu Badeh Jr.

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