By Seun Ibiyemi
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), in what the Presidency described as a decision taken in the public interest.
The President also approved the nomination of Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the agency, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision was taken pursuant to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
The statement said the move is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Mr. Umar, the nominee, is described as a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience spanning the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.
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He is said to have a strong background in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.
He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
Pending Senate confirmation, the most senior official within the NMDPRA will oversee the agency’s operations in an acting capacity.
President Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Authority Chief Executive, Mr. Saidu Mohammed, for his service to the nation and wished him success in his future endeavours.
The Presidency reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to appointing capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to drive energy security, sector reforms, and sustainable economic growth.
