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), citing public interest. In his place, the President has nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new chief executive, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Official Statement
The Presidency announced the decision in a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. According to the statement, the removal aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory effectiveness in Nigeria's midstream and downstream petroleum sector, a critical component of the country's energy value chain.
The action was taken pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which provides the legal framework for governance and administration of the petroleum industry. Pending Senate confirmation, the most senior official of the Authority will oversee operations in an acting capacity.
About NMDPRA
Established under the Petroleum Industry Act, the NMDPRA is responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of Nigeria's midstream and downstream petroleum operations. This includes gas processing, transportation, fuel distribution, and retail. The leadership change is seen as part of a broader reset aimed at improving efficiency, deepening transparency, and boosting investor confidence in the oil and gas sector.
Profile of the Nominee
Rabiu Abdullahi Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. According to the Presidency, he has a proven record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery. He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University Kano and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
President Tinubu thanked the outgoing Chief Executive for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours. He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to ensuring competent leadership across key regulatory institutions to drive energy security, sector reforms, and sustainable economic growth.
