NSIB, NCAA Strengthen Partnership on Support for Aircraft Accident Victims’ Families
Oru Leonard
Abuja, July 22, 2026 – The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), have commenced efforts to deepen collaboration aimed at improving support for victims of aircraft accidents and their families, as Nigeria moves to align its emergency response framework with international aviation standards.
The renewed partnership was the focus of a strategic meeting in Abuja between the National Family Assistance Coordination Committee, coordinated by the NSIB, and officials of the NCAA. Discussions centred on enhancing institutional cooperation, capacity building and the implementation of Family Assistance programmes across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The NSIB delegation was led by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, while the NCAA team was headed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Adebayo-Arowojobe explained that the National Family Assistance Coordination Committee operates within a multimodal transport framework covering aviation, marine, rail and other transport sectors, with the current engagement focusing specifically on aviation disaster victim and family assistance.
She said the discussions examined the objectives of the Family Assistance Programme, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) policy on assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families, the mandate of the National Family Assistance Coordination Committee, the statutory responsibilities of the NSIB, the complementary role of the NCAA and areas for sustained collaboration.
According to her, Family Assistance is a critical element of transportation safety management and emergency response, designed to ensure coordinated institutional support that preserves the dignity of victims, provides families with timely and accurate information,
facilitates access to essential services and promotes compassionate engagement throughout the post-accident process.
She stressed that effective implementation of the programme requires sustained collaboration among relevant transport agencies and strict adherence to international best practices.
Responding on behalf of the NCAA, Mr. Achimugu welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to working closely with the NSIB to strengthen Family Assistance programmes in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He identified continuous training and retraining of personnel as essential to ensuring agencies are adequately prepared to provide professional, coordinated and compassionate support whenever aviation emergencies occur.
Both organisations also identified practical areas for future cooperation, including joint capacity-building programmes, knowledge sharing, stakeholder sensitisation and the development of sustainable mechanisms for implementing Family Assistance initiatives in line with global standards.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for aviation emergencies by establishing clearer institutional procedures for supporting victims’ families while reinforcing compliance with international best practices in aviation safety and emergency response.
