The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has issued a response to the findings released by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and three others.
In a statement signed by the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, and sent to our correspondent on Wednesday, the bureau expressed disagreement with the NTSB’s conclusion, which placed significant blame on the pilot. The NSIB argued that the tragedy should not be attributed solely to the pilot, but also to systemic failures that should have prevented the crash.
The NSIB serves as Nigeria’s multimodal transport safety agency, tasked with promoting safety and conducting independent investigations into transportation accidents. Its U.S. counterpart, the NTSB, performs a similar role within the United States.
In its final report released over a week ago, the NTSB identified “pilot disorientation” and a breach of flight regulations, specifically, continuing under visual flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions, as major contributing factors in the crash.
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However, the NSIB refuted suggestions that it had co-led the investigation with the NTSB, clarifying that it was merely kept informed of the process rather than actively involved.
This stance comes shortly after NSIB Director-General Alex Badeh, in an exclusive conversation with our correspondent less than 24 hours earlier, confirmed that the final NTSB report had been shared with the Nigerian bureau.
When asked for the NSIB’s perspective on the NTSB report, Director-General Alex Badeh declined to offer any comments, stating that the agency does not publicly evaluate accident reports. He emphasized that the primary purpose of such reports is not to assign blame, but to enhance safety within the transport sector.
However, in a formal statement issued later, the NSIB responded to the NTSB’s findings, saying, “It appears there were systemic shortcomings, and the flight risk assessment should have flagged a higher level of danger. While it may be convenient to fault the pilot, a broader system exists behind the individual that should have mitigated such risks.”
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Back in February 2024, the NSIB had announced that it fully cooperated with the NTSB during the investigation into the crash that claimed the lives of banker Herbert Wigwe and five others.
In the latest statement, the NSIB clarified its role in the process, with the Director-General stating, “The NSIB did not conduct a joint investigation with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. We participated as an interested party and were kept informed throughout the investigation, which was led by the NTSB in the United States.”
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