By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) has raised concerns over what it describes as alarming administrative shortcomings at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), urging urgent government intervention.

In a statement signed by the group’s Acting Head of Office, Barr. Blessing Unekwu Ojo, NEFGAD highlighted what it calls a disturbing trend that questions the operational discipline of an agency responsible for aviation and transportation safety investigations.

NEFGAD said its officials visited the NSIB headquarters on November 25, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. to submit a formal document but were told by a receptionist that no employee was authorized to accept public correspondence, and were asked to return the next day. When they returned on November 26 at 2:00 p.m., the same excuse was reportedly repeated, citing a directive allegedly issued by Director-General Alex Badeh Jr. instructing staff not to receive official letters from the public.

The group described the development as an embarrassing dereliction of duty, noting that the refusal of a federal institution to perform basic administrative functions exposes deeper issues of systemic disorder and leadership failure.

“For a bureau responsible for investigating sensitive safety matters, this posture suggests a breakdown of professionalism,” the statement read. “A leadership culture that blocks communication with stakeholders puts public confidence and institutional credibility at risk.”

NEFGAD called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct relevant oversight authorities to probe the situation and restore accountability within the NSIB.

“NEFGAD remains unwavering in its advocacy for transparency and effective service delivery across public institutions,” the statement added. “Taxpayer-funded agencies owe Nigerians competence, not complacency.”