The Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Capt. Alex Badeh, has raised concerns about the potential adverse effects of the newly enacted Internally Generated Revenue tax law on the agency’s operations.

He disclosed this during a virtual briefing with journalists on Thursday.

Badeh explained that the NSIB is currently reviewing the law to assess its implications, but early indications suggest it could negatively impact the agency.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Aviation is actively engaging the Federal Government to address these concerns ahead of the law’s implementation.

“It is a potential problem, but we are being proactive, and the aviation ministry is also very proactive, and let’s see how that plays out before enforcement,” Badeh said.

Despite the challenges, Badeh underscored NSIB’s progress in improving transportation safety, describing the 2022 NSIB Establishment Act as a transformative measure with the potential to significantly reduce accidents across all modes of transport.

The NSIB chief stressed the need for collaboration with relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, to meet international safety standards. He noted that NSIB has developed key regulations essential for ensuring safety across Nigeria’s multimodal transport system.

These regulations cover the Maritime Safety Investigation Regulations 2025, the Railways (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulation 2024, and the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2025. Badeh emphasized that these frameworks are pending approval before NSIB can begin their implementation.

Addressing concerns about overlapping mandates with NIMASA, Badeh clarified that NSIB fills a crucial gap by conducting independent investigations in line with global best practices. He highlighted that NSIB is recognized by the International Maritime Organization and works closely with international counterparts.

Badeh also disclosed plans to onboard investigators specializing in the maritime and rail sectors by September and October.

“The bureau is engaging professionals, retirees, and personnel seconded from NIMASA and the National Inland Waterways Authority, as well as sending staff for training in the UK,” Badeh said.

He noted that NSIB already has a framework agreement with the Nigerian Navy to support maritime investigations and expressed optimism that NIMASA will soon fully collaborate with the agency. Badeh also highlighted that the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the National Inland Waterways Authority are keen to work with NSIB.

Badeh emphasized that the agency’s investigations focus on determining causes rather than assigning blame, though they do not preclude civil, criminal, or administrative actions where necessary.

His concerns over the new tax law underscore the need to carefully assess the impact of such legislation on critical agencies like NSIB. As the agency seeks to address these issues, it remains essential to ensure that safety investigations are not compromised.