By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Saidu Mohammed, citing public interest as the basis for the decision.
The President also nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the regulatory body, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The decision, according to the presidency, is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness within Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector, in alignment with the administration’s reform agenda.
The development was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on April 29, 2026.
Mr Umar is described as a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience spanning energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure, with expertise in strategic leadership and large-scale project delivery.
He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
Pending Senate confirmation, the most senior official within the NMDPRA is expected to oversee the agency’s operations in an acting capacity.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief Executive for his service, while reiterating the administration’s commitment to strengthening leadership across critical regulatory institutions to drive energy security and
economic growth.
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