Tinubu Moves Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to Presidency, Overruling Keyamo

President Bola Tinubu has officially approved the relocation of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to the Presidency, overriding objections from Minister Festus Keyamo.

While it remains unclear which specific office within the Presidency will oversee the bureau, sources from Saturday PUNCH confirm that the President’s approval signals a significant shift in the agency’s administrative alignment. This move ends months of deliberations over the bureau’s optimal placement for operational efficiency.

Background of the Controversy

For months, stakeholders, lawmakers, and transport sector operators have debated the bureau’s location. Advocates for independence argued that placing the NSIB under the Ministry of Aviation restricted its effectiveness, given its oversight responsibilities across air, rail, maritime, and road safety. Conversely, Keyamo insisted that the bureau should remain within the ministry to retain streamlined governance.

Ultimately, President Tinubu concluded that the NSIB would execute its duties more efficiently while reporting directly to the Presidency.

Advisory from the Presidency

In a letter dated November 3, 2025, obtained by our correspondent, Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, recommended relocating the bureau. Usman highlighted that the move aligns with global best practices, referencing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States, which reports directly to the federal government to ensure autonomy and credibility in investigations (NTSB Official Site).

The letter emphasized that NSIB’s current placement under the aviation ministry, as outlined in Section 66, Page A1136 of the Establishment Act, limits its capacity to investigate not only air accidents but also marine, rail, and tracked vehicle incidents. According to Usman, moving the bureau to the Presidency would:

• Strengthen enforcement of safety regulations across all transportation sectors.
• Increase transparency, accountability, and public trust in investigative outcomes.
• Align Nigeria’s safety investigation framework with international standards.
• Support the Renewed Hope Agenda for improved governance and service delivery.

The proposal suggested that the NSIB report to the Presidency via the Office of the National Security Adviser, a strategic shift designed to enhance its operational independence and credibility.

Presidential Approval

On March 5, 2026, through his Private Secretary, Damilola Aderemi, President Tinubu formally approved Usman’s recommendation, signaling the end of the bureau’s operations under the Ministry of Aviation.

This development aligns with earlier reports by The PUNCH, which indicated that the Federal Government, supported by the National Assembly, considered removing the NSIB from the Ministry of Aviation’s control. Transport sector stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, had consistently advocated for placing the bureau under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Importance of Operational Independence

The NSIB is responsible for investigating accidents across land, water, and air transportation in Nigeria. For years, the agency has sought enhanced funding, resources, and autonomy to improve its service delivery and investigative credibility.

In June 2025, the Federal Ministry of Aviation opposed the National Assembly’s plan to relocate the NSIB, presenting its case during a public hearing organized by the joint committee on Special Duties and Aviation in Abuja. Then-Permanent Secretary Abubakar Kana argued that the bureau should remain under the ministry while strengthening its operational framework to ensure functional independence.

Kana stated, “I recommend that the National Assembly and its relevant stakeholders should please retain the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau within the Federal Ministry of Aviation.”

However, the Presidential approval now overrides this stance, reflecting a broader strategy to align Nigeria’s accident investigation protocols with global standards.