President Bola Tinubu has approved removed the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Saidu Mohammed, nominating Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as his successor, subject to Senate confirmation.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga., disclosed that in a statement he made available to Newsmen on Wednesday.
According to the Presidency, the removal was carried out “in the public interest.” It also stated that the action aligns with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which governs the structure and regulation of Nigeria’s oil and gas downstream and midstream sectors.
The government explained that the move is part of efforts to strengthen regulatory efficiency and improve oversight within the petroleum industry, which remains a critical revenue and energy sector for Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu, a Nigerian politician, also linked the change to his administration’s broader “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which focuses on institutional reform, improved governance, and economic stability.
The newly nominated Chief Executive, Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, was described as a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.
He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School, indicating exposure to both local and international executive training environments.
Pending Senate confirmation of Umar’s appointment, the Presidency stated that the most senior official within the NMDPRA will assume leadership of the agency in an acting capacity. This is to ensure continuity in regulatory operations and sector oversight.
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the outgoing Authority Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, for his service during his tenure. It wished him well in his future endeavours.
Saidu Mohammed had been appointed following the exit of the pioneer NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, who stepped down in December 2025. Mohammed’s tenure was relatively short before the latest leadership reshuffle.
Broader context
The NMDPRA plays a central role in regulating Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, including fuel distribution, pricing frameworks, licensing, safety standards, and infrastructure compliance.
The agency was created under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 as part of reforms to improve transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
