The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has refuted claims by the U.S. State Department suggesting that Nigerian airports are broadly unsafe, calling the assertion misleading and unfounded.

Speaking during a live broadcast, NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Bade Jr, acknowledged that Nigerian airports face some operational challenges, such as perimeter fencing issues and occasional wildlife intrusions. However, he insisted that these concerns are not unique to Nigeria and occur at airports around the world—including in the United States.

“We recognise the need for continuous improvement,” Bade said. “But to generalise that Nigerian airports are unsafe is inaccurate. We commend the efforts of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which is actively implementing infrastructure and safety upgrades.”

The remarks come in the wake of a recent report by the U.S. State Department and investigations surrounding the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of prominent Nigerian banker, Herbert Wigwe.

Addressing misconceptions about the NSIB’s role in the investigation, Bade clarified that the Bureau was not jointly leading the inquiry with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

“The NSIB was an interested party, not a co-investigator,” he explained. “We were kept informed by the NTSB, which had jurisdiction as the crash occurred on U.S. soil.”

The NTSB’s final report cited spatial disorientation as the primary cause of the crash. It also pointed to lapses in the helicopter operator’s oversight and safety management procedures.

In response to a separate recent incident at Asaba Airport—where an aircraft encountered animals on the runway—Bade confirmed that the airline involved was sanctioned. He also clarified that the aircraft suffered no damage and safely continued its flight to Abuja.

Captain Bade reiterated the Bureau’s commitment to transparent investigations and ongoing collaboration with international aviation bodies, while calling for more balanced assessments of Nigeria’s aviation sector.