Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a civic organisation, has asked President Bola Tinubu to sack with immediate effect the Director General of the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mr Alex Badeh Jr. over the recent controversy surrounding the toxicology report.

NEFGAD, during a press  conference on Tuesday in Abuja, said the recent controversy surrounding the toxicology report released by the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the subsequent strong denial issued by Air Peace, has further deepened concerns about the credibility, professionalism, and operational integrity of the Bureau under its current leadership and the need to call on President Bola Tinubu to sack with immediate effect, the Director General of the NSIB Mr Alex Badeh Jr, to pave the way for thorough investigation in a bid to restore public confidence in the air safety agency.

NEFGAD made the call through its acting head of office Barrister Unekwu Blessing Ojo, who during the press conference emphasized NEFGAD’s position as a critical stakeholder in the aviation sector committed to transparency, accountability, and public safety within Nigeria’s aviation sector expressing profound disappointment in the manner the highly sensitive investigation into the July 2024 runway incursion incident by an Air Peace aircraft was being handled by the NSIB.

She maintained that NSIB is an aviation watchdog whose investigation requires utmost precision, neutrality, and scientific rigour, stressing that any lapse, real or perceived – undermines public trust and jeopardises the confidence of both domestic and international partners in Nigeria’s air safety oversight. 

She stated that the conflicting narratives and the lack of clarity from a report issued by the NSIB itself months after the incidents and series of counter claims from Air Peace is troubling and entirely allien to the Nigerian aviation sector, particularly to the operations of the Bureau since inception until Mr Badeh Jr became the Bureau’s Director General, and this has raised legitimate doubts about the Bureau’s internal processes, its adherence to global best practices, and its ability to professionally discharge its statutory mandate.

She noted that at this critical moment, Nigeria an aspiring nation working hard to ensure the air safety of its citizens and attract investment confidence globally cannot afford an aviation investigative body whose operation and leadership inspires controversy rather than confidence.

She said: “In view of the foregoing, the group call for the immediate resignation of the Director-General of the NSIB. This action is essential to restore public trust, protect the integrity of ongoing and future investigations, and pave the way for a transparent review of the Bureau’s operational standards. 

“NEFGAD further urge the President to initiate an independent assessment of the NSIB – its leadership structure, investigative protocols, and quality control mechanisms using the Airpeace runway incursion as a test case and ensure that the agency is repositioned for credible, world-class performance.”

NEFGAD vowed mass and possible legal action should Mr Badeh fails to accede to its request  to resign,  insisting that Nigeria’s aviation safety institutions must operate above reproach and its leadership accountability non-negotiable.Michael Olugbode

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