The Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) has moved to strengthen regional cooperation and institutional capacity in aircraft accident and incident investigation following an extraordinary meeting of its Board of Directors held in Abuja, Nigeria.

The meeting, hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) from August 4 to 7, brought together members of the BAGAIA Board of Directors, Directors-General of Civil Aviation, the Head of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Secretariat, the BAGAIA Commissioner and other delegates from member states.

The meeting focused on critical governance, operational and strategic matters aimed at strengthening BAGAIA and enhancing its effectiveness in promoting aviation safety across the region.

Welcoming delegates to Nigeria, Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, expressed delight at the country’s hosting of the meeting and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing the challenges confronting the regional accident investigation agency.

Najomo urged participants to engage in open and constructive deliberations capable of strengthening BAGAIA’s institutional capacity and ensuring its continued contribution to aviation safety within the region.

Among the issues considered at the meeting were the recruitment and employment conditions of the BAGAIA Commissioner, the agency’s financial position and contributions from member states, as well as the implementation of decisions reached by the BAG Council of Ministers.

The delegates also deliberated on BAGAIA’s operational and strategic activities, expansion and staffing requirements, and the contractual status of its Training Support/Technical Director.

A major outcome of the meeting was the election of Engr. Jorge Manuel Rodrigues of Cape Verde as the new Chairperson of the BAGAIA Board of Directors.

Rodrigues’ election followed the expiration of the tenure of the previous chairperson and was conducted in accordance with the agency’s established governance framework.

The meeting further reaffirmed the commitment of member states to strengthening BAGAIA’s governance structure, improving its financial sustainability and institutional capacity, while deepening regional collaboration in support of aviation safety.

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BAGAIA is an independent regional body established under the Banjul Accord Group to conduct aircraft accident and incident investigations, build safety-investigation capacity and contribute to the development and implementation of aviation safety standards among its member states.

The agency’s member states comprise Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.