President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), citing public interest. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar has been nominated as his replacement, subject to Senate confirmation.
Leadership Change in Petroleum Sector
The decision, announced in a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory effectiveness in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector. This move is pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which provides the legal framework for the industry’s governance and administration. Pending Senate confirmation, the most senior official of the Authority will oversee operations in an acting capacity.
The NMDPRA, established under the Petroleum Industry Act, regulates technical and commercial aspects of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including gas processing, transportation, fuel distribution, and retail. The leadership change is part of a broader reset aimed at improving efficiency, deepening transparency, and boosting investor confidence in the oil and gas sector.
Profile of the Nominee
Rabiu Abdullahi Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University Kano and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. According to the Presidency, Umar has a proven record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.
President Tinubu thanked the outgoing Chief Executive for his service and wished him well. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring competent leadership across key regulatory institutions to drive energy security, sector reforms, and sustainable economic growth.
