The 12th Commission Meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) has kicked off in Abuja, Nigeria, with a renewed commitment to regional aviation safety cooperation.
Held from July 28 to 30, 2025, the meeting brings together top aviation safety officials from seven West African nations to discuss key issues and strategies for improving aviation safety in the region.
At the meeting’s core is the establishment of a BAGAIA Board composed of heads of Accident Investigation Bureaus from member states. This Board will provide policy direction and streamline decision-making, with a Chairman elected from among members and the BAGAIA Commissioner serving as Board Secretary.
The official document establishing the Board was signed by five member states on May 22, 2025, and translations in French and Portuguese will be completed during the 42nd Session of ICAO in Montreal in September 2025.
BAGAIA Commissioner, Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, highlighted the agency’s efforts to unify West Africa through deeper collaboration, noting strategic partnerships with regional bodies like CASSOA and SASO. However, he identified inconsistent financial support from member states as a major challenge hindering progress.
Key officials, including Mr. Fansu Bojang, Head of the Banjul Accord Group Secretariat, and Captain Alex Badeh Jr, Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), emphasised the importance of collective effort and cooperation among member states. “Cooperation among member states is not just a goal but the foundation of our success,” Badeh stated. “Aviation incidents transcend borders and demand seamless collaboration”.
The meeting’s theme, “Celebrating Our Collective Wins in Capacity Building and Aviation Safety in the BAG Region and Beyond”, was praised by Mr. Yves Koning, EASA Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, as timely and inspiring.
Discussions will cover performance reviews, future funding strategies, and enhanced investigative coordination, with stakeholders expected to draw up new resolutions to improve infrastructure, develop regional labs, and enhance investigator training.