NSIB, Asky Airlines hold talks on harmonising safety practices

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*Chief executive officer of Asky Airlines, Mr EsayasWoldemariam Hailu (3rd from left) and director general, NSIB, Capt Alex Badeh Jr (4th from left) after the meeting in Lome, Togo

Asky Airlines and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have held talks on the need to strengthen ties with West Africa’s leading carriers.

NSIB said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji that the parley held in Asky Airlines’ headquarters in Lome, Togo centred on the importance of harmonising safety practices, establishing a framework for operational support and collaborating on safety investigation procedures in accordance with ICAO-recommended standards.

Speaking at the meeting, the director general of NSIB, Capt Alex Badeh Jr said: “The future of aviation in West Africa depends on how well we collaborate today.”

He underscored the regional responsibility of the NSIB and the importance of engaging with airline stakeholders to proactively enhance safety outcomes.

“This visit goes beyond being a gesture of goodwill; it is a deliberate step towards building a network of trust, cooperation, and accountability in West African aviation. We believe that together, through shared knowledge and operational integrity, we can ensure the skies remain safe for all.

“We are moving away from a system where aviation rules are written in response to tragedy. Our focus is on building a framework grounded in science, data, and technology to stay ahead of threats. This shift enables us to detect risks before they escalate into incidents, spot trends before they become statistics, and prevent tomorrow’s accidents today. This approach requires open collaboration with key stakeholders, grounded in trust and knowledge exchange,” Badeh Jr added.

For his part, the chief executive officer of Asky Airlines, Mr. EsayasWoldemariam Hailu, affirmed Asky Airlines’ commitment to advancing a culture of safety through strategic partnerships.

“We are honoured to host the Director General and his team. At Asky Airlines, our priority is to meet and exceed safety standards. Collaboration with investigative authorities like the NSIB helps us remain responsive, transparent, and fully aligned with international best practices.

“As global air travel abounds and West Africa continues to emerge as a critical aviation hub, this visit represents a forward-looking commitment to integrated safety systems, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable aviation oversight,” he said.

Both men expressed optimism about the opportunities for ongoing collaboration, including the exchange of investigative insights, capacity-building initiatives, and the establishment of shared safety training programs aimed at elevating the regional aviation framework.

The statement said the high-level engagement marked a significant step in fostering regional cooperation and mutual alignment on aviation safety, investigative transparency, and technical training.