By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), citing public interest.
In a statement released Thursday, the President also announced the nomination of Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive, subject to Senate confirmation.
The decision, made under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, is part of efforts to strengthen regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, aligned with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr Umar brings over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, with a track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.
Pending Senate confirmation, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee operations in an acting capacity.
President Tinubu thanked the outgoing chief executive for his service and wished him well in future endeavours, while reaffirming his commitment to capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth.
