Attempt To Cut NSIB’s TSC Share Will Threaten Aviation Safety — DG

The Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Alex Badeh Jr., has warned that any reduction in the bureau’s share of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) could undermine aviation safety and weaken the country’s accident investigation capacity.

Badeh issued the warning during a virtual media parley with aviation journalists over the weekend, stressing that the NSIB already receives the lowest allocation among the five aviation agencies sharing revenue from the TSC.

Under the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act 2022, the five per cent TSC/Cargo Sales Charge collected by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is distributed among the NCAA, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and the NSIB.

The current formula allocates 56 per cent to the NCAA, 22 per cent to NAMA, nine per cent to NiMet, seven per cent to NCAT and six per cent to the NSIB.

However, a proposal before the National Assembly seeks to amend the arrangement by reducing the NCAA’s share to 40 per cent and increasing NAMA’s allocation to 40 per cent.

The proposed review has sparked debate among aviation stakeholders, with different agencies and industry groups expressing varying positions on the matter.

Badeh argued that further reducing the NSIB’s allocation would be counterproductive, particularly given the bureau’s expanded responsibilities beyond aviation accident investigations.

“As it stands, we get the lowest of all the agencies from the TSC. I don’t know the rationale behind the call for the downward review as canvassed by some sections of people in the industry,” he said.

The NSIB boss noted that accident investigation was a critical part of the country’s aviation safety system and required adequate and sustainable funding.

According to him, the bureau needs sufficient resources to deploy investigators, acquire and maintain specialised equipment, strengthen laboratory facilities, train personnel and participate in complex aircraft accident investigations.

He said, “If you say safety is expensive, try an accident. I don’t think the reduction of any agency’s collection from the TSC is the solution to any challenge that we have at the moment.”

Badeh also disclosed that the NSIB was yet to receive some statutory revenues due to it from other transportation sectors.

He specifically mentioned that the bureau was entitled to three per cent of the earnings of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), but had not received the funds despite providing safety investigation services to maritime operators.

He, however, said the failure to receive the funds would not stop the bureau from discharging its responsibilities in the maritime sector.

The NSIB DG added that the bureau was preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with NIMASA to establish a clearer framework for their cooperation.

He further disclosed that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) was yet to remit statutory charges due to the NSIB, despite the bureau being entitled to six per cent of the corporation’s revenue under the law.

Badeh expressed optimism that the recent relocation of the NSIB to the Presidency would improve compliance by government agencies and strengthen the bureau’s funding.

He noted that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had already been remitting five per cent of its Passenger Service Charge to the NSIB as required by law.

According to him, the bureau’s expanded mandate makes sustainable funding increasingly important, as its responsibilities now cover accident and safety investigations across multiple modes of transportation.

Badeh also revealed that the NSIB had released nine interim, preliminary and final accident and incident investigation reports so far in 2026, with more reports expected before the end of the year.

He assured that the bureau would continue to release investigation reports in line with established protocols and timelines, stressing that the primary purpose of accident investigation was to identify safety deficiencies and prevent future occurrences rather than apportion blame.