President Bola Tinubu has appointed Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This decisive move comes in the wake of the resignation of the former CEO, Farouq Ahmed, which followed detailed disclosures by Aliko Dangote regarding offshore payments.
A Distinguished Career in Oil and Gas
Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed brings to the role an impressive 37 years of distinguished service within Nigeria's oil and gas industry. Born on July 17, 1957, in Gombe, his educational foundation was laid at the North-East College of Arts and Science (NECAS) in Maiduguri and Government Secondary School in Gombe. He is a proud alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering.
His illustrious career at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) saw him occupy several strategic leadership positions. He served as the Managing Director of both the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC). In 2016, he was elevated to the position of Group Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Gas & Power Directorate, a role he held until his retirement from the NNPC in 2019.
Architect of Critical Gas Infrastructure and Policy
Engr. Mohammed is widely recognized for his visionary leadership and deep technical expertise, particularly in gas commercialization and infrastructure development. His contributions have been pivotal to the sector's growth. He played a central role in the formulation of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan and was instrumental in the establishment of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA).
He also led the implementation of major national projects, including the expansion of the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) and the monumental Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project. On the international stage, he served as Nigeria's representative on the Executive Board of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
Governance and Post-Retirement Engagements
Beyond operational roles, Engr. Mohammed has extensive governance experience. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) and N-Gas (Bermuda), and as a board member for Nigeria LNG Limited. Following his retirement from NNPC, he has been active as the Chairman and CEO of GasXperts Nigeria Limited and serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Asharami Energy Limited.
His influence extends to policy and regulation, having contributed to the formulation of the Associated Gas Framework Agreement (AGFA), the development of the Gas Network Code, and provided inputs to key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed is a COREN Registered Engineer and a Fellow of both the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, where he also served as Past President. He is also a Past President of the Nigeria Gas Association.
The appointment marks a significant transition for the NMDPRA, placing a seasoned technocrat with a proven track record at its helm during a critical period for Nigeria's energy sector.
