The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Wednesday commenced strategic discussions to strengthen cooperation and improve support for victims of aircraft accidents and their families.
The engagement was part of Nigeria’s broader effort to align its emergency response framework with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and global best practices on Family Assistance.
The meeting was convened in Abuja by the National Family Assistance Coordination Committee, which is coordinated by the NSIB and, Senior officials of the NCAA who joined the session to deliberate on institutional roles and practical steps for implementation.
According to both agencies, The engagement centered on three key areas: improving institutional coordination, building capacity, and strengthening the implementation of Family Assistance programmes across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe noted that the National Family Assistance Coordination Committee operates within a multimodal transportation framework covering aviation, marine, rail and other transport sectors.
She noted: “The engagement with the NCAA, however, focused specifically on aviation disaster victims and family assistance.
“The programme is designed to provide coordinated institutional support that upholds the dignity of victims. It ensures families receive timely and accurate information, access to essential services, and compassionate engagement throughout the post-occurrence period.”
Arowojogbe added that effective delivery will depend on sustained collaboration among agencies and strict adherence to global best practices.
Responding, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu affirmed the agency’s commitment to work closely with the NSIB to advance Family Assistance in aviation.
He stressed that continuous training and retraining of personnel would be essential.
Achimugu added: “Capacity development is necessary to ensure our agencies are prepared to provide professional, coordinated, and timely support whenever the need arises,
The meeting also agreed on practical next steps: joint capacity-building programmes, knowledge sharing, stakeholder sensitization, and the development of sustainable mechanisms to implement Family Assistance initiatives in line with international standards.
With Family Assistance now a major focus of global aviation safety, the partnership between NSIB and NCAA is expected to establish clearer procedures for supporting affected families and to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for future emergencies.
The cooperation between NSIB and NCAA is expected to establish clearer institutional procedures for supporting families affected by aviation accidents, while also strengthening Nigeria’s overall emergency preparedness.