JUST IN: Tinubu Replaces NMDPRA Boss, Nominates Rabiu Umar As Successor

President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of Saidu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in a major leadership shake-up of the country’s petroleum regulatory sector.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu has nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new head of the agency. The appointment will, however, require Senate confirmation before it takes effect.

The presidency said the decision was taken “in the public interest” under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, and is aimed at strengthening regulatory performance in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

Pending confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior official in the NMDPRA will oversee the agency in an acting capacity.

The statement described Umar as an experienced executive with over 25 years in the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, with a background in strategic leadership and project delivery.

President Tinubu also thanked the outgoing chief executive, Saidu Mohammed, for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours.