The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has responded to the findings of the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and three others.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, the NSIB disagreed with the NTSB’s conclusion that largely held the pilot responsible for the accident.
The agency emphasized that deeper, systemic failures contributed to the tragedy and should not be overlooked.
“While it may be convenient to place the blame solely on the pilot, there were underlying systemic issues. A proper risk assessment should have identified and addressed these hazards before the flight,” the statement read.
The NSIB, which is tasked with probing transport-related incidents in Nigeria, clarified that it was not directly involved in the U.S.-led investigation.
Though it maintained communication with the NTSB, it stated it did not conduct a joint inquiry into the crash.
This response follows the NTSB’s final report released over a week ago, which identified “spatial disorientation” and disregard for flight rules—specifically flying under visual flight conditions during poor weather—as leading factors in the crash.
Despite previous reports suggesting a collaborative investigation, the NSIB noted that it was only updated on developments and did not participate in the hands-on investigation process.
Just a day prior, NSIB Director-General Alex Badeh confirmed to The PUNCH that the final report was shared with his agency but declined to publicly evaluate the findings, stressing that such reports are meant to enhance aviation safety, not to assign blame.
The NSIB reiterated its earlier stance from February 2024, affirming that while it fully supported the NTSB during the investigation, its role was limited to that of an observer.
“Our agency did not co-lead the investigation. We were kept informed as an interested party while the NTSB handled the process,” the statement concluded.
The tragic accident has continued to generate public concern, with the NSIB’s latest remarks shifting attention toward institutional accountability and the broader safety framework surrounding aviation operations.
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