Former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has marked the seventh anniversary of his survival from a helicopter crash that occurred in Kogi State in 2019, describing the experience as an act of divine mercy and grace.
In a message shared on his social media platforms, Osinbajo reflected on the incident that could have ended in tragedy but instead became a powerful testimony of survival. He thanked God for sparing his life and those of the 11 other people who were on board the helicopter at the time.
The crash happened on February 2, 2019, during the heat of election campaigns ahead of the general elections. Osinbajo, who was then Vice President under President Muhammadu Buhari, was travelling to Kabba in Kogi State for a campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The helicopter involved was an AgustaWestland AW139 operated by Caverton Helicopters, a company that provides air transport services in Nigeria. The aircraft crash-landed near Kabba Township Stadium while attempting to land, causing panic among residents and campaign supporters in the area.
Despite the frightening nature of the incident, Osinbajo, his aides, security personnel, and the flight crew all came out alive and without injuries. The outcome shocked many Nigerians and was widely described as miraculous.
In his anniversary message, Osinbajo credited God for the survival of everyone on board, saying not a single person suffered a scratch.
“God of my journey, I remember how You saved us. I remember how You brought us out,” he wrote. “Seven years ago, You carried every one of us out of that helicopter crash without a single scrape. Not one life lost. Not one wound left behind. Only mercy. Only grace.”
He added that he and the others involved remain deeply grateful, giving God “all the glory, all the honour, and all the adoration.”
The message was accompanied by photographs taken by popular photographer Tolani Alli and background music by gospel singer Dunsin Oyekan. Osinbajo also quoted lyrics from Oyekan’s song “Nagode,” a song of thanksgiving and praise.
The lyrics, partly written in English and Hausa, express gratitude to God for faithfulness and protection from childhood to old age. Osinbajo said the words captured his feelings perfectly.
The helicopter crash remains one of the most talked-about incidents of the 2019 election season. At the time, eyewitnesses said the helicopter tilted while landing and suddenly crashed, raising a cloud of dust that covered the area.
Residents and supporters at the venue initially feared the worst. Many rushed towards the crash site, expecting to see casualties. Instead, they were amazed to see Osinbajo and others walk out safely.
Videos and photos from the scene quickly spread across social media, with many Nigerians thanking God and calling the survival a miracle.
Later investigations by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) provided more details on what caused the crash. In its report, the AIB said the accident was due mainly to human error.
According to the bureau, the helicopter captain used an inappropriate landing technique and failed to follow standard company procedures. The report also pointed to a condition known as “brownout” as a contributing factor.
Brownout happens when dust or sand is blown into the air by a helicopter’s rotors, reducing visibility and making it difficult for pilots to see clearly during landing. This condition is common in dry and dusty environments like parts of northern and central Nigeria.
Despite these challenges, aviation experts noted that the design of the helicopter and the quick response of the crew helped prevent loss of life.
What surprised many Nigerians even more was Osinbajo’s response after the crash. Shortly after the incident, he continued with his campaign activities in Kogi State, meeting party members and supporters.
His calm attitude and decision to proceed with the campaign were widely praised, with many describing him as resilient and courageous.
At the time, Osinbajo said he believed God had a purpose for sparing his life. Over the years, he has often referred to the crash as a turning point that strengthened his faith and sense of gratitude.
Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023. During his time in office, he was known for his deep Christian faith, regular church attendance, and open expressions of gratitude to God.
He also served as Acting President on several occasions when President Buhari was away on medical leave. During those periods, he took key decisions on governance, security, and the economy.
Since leaving office in 2023, Osinbajo has largely stayed out of partisan politics, focusing instead on academic work, public speaking, and international engagements. However, he continues to enjoy respect across different political and religious groups in Nigeria.
The seventh anniversary of the helicopter crash has once again reminded Nigerians of the dangers faced by public officials during campaigns, especially in a country where road travel is risky and air travel sometimes affected by poor weather and infrastructure.
It has also renewed calls for stricter safety standards for political campaigns, including better planning, improved aviation procedures, and reduced pressure on pilots during tight campaign schedules.
For Osinbajo, however, the anniversary was less about the danger and more about gratitude.
His message struck a chord with many Nigerians, especially Christians, who flooded his social media pages with prayers, thanksgiving messages, and reflections on God’s protection.
Some described his survival as a reminder that life is fragile, while others said it showed that faith can provide strength in moments of fear and uncertainty.
Seven years after the crash in Kabba, Osinbajo’s story remains one of hope and thanksgiving. As he put it simply in his message, it was not by skill or chance, but by “only mercy, only grace.”