BREAKING: Tinubu Overhauls Oil Sector as NMDPRA, NUPRC Chiefs Resign; Senate to Screen New Appointees
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated a major shake-up in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework following the resignation of the Chief Executives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Those who stepped aside are Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, and Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC.
In a letter transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday, President Tinubu formally requested legislative confirmation of newly nominated heads for the two agencies, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The President nominated Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, while Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan was named as the replacement for Komolafe at the NUPRC.
According to the Presidency, the nominations were made to strengthen regulatory efficiency, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which remains critical to the country’s economic stability.
The leadership changes come amid growing public scrutiny of regulatory practices in the petroleum industry, especially following recent controversies involving refinery operations, fuel importation and downstream pricing mechanisms.
President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the screening and confirmation process, stressing that stable leadership at the regulatory agencies is vital to ongoing reforms in the energy sector.
The Senate is expected to refer the nominations to the appropriate committees for screening before plenary consideration.
If confirmed, the new appointees will be tasked with steering Nigeria’s upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum operations at a time of heightened demand for reform, investor confidence and improved sector governance.