President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr. Saidu Mohammed, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.
He has also chosen Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the agency’s new CEO, subject to Senate confirmation.
The news was made in a State House press release published on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the removal of Mr. Saidu Mohammed as the authority chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in the public interest,” Onanuga said.
According to the statement, the decision was made in accordance with the terms of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and is intended to improve regulatory efficacy in the midstream and downstream petroleum sectors, in keeping with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Umar is a seasoned executive with 25 years of experience in the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure industries. He graduated from Bayero University with a degree in accounting and also attended Harvard Business School.
In the meanwhile, while the nomination is being confirmed by the Senate, the most senior person in the NMDPRA will operate as the authority’s chief executive.
The Presidency praised the departed CEO for his work and wished him success in his future endeavors, emphasizing its commitment to choosing qualified leadership in key regulatory agencies.
“The President remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth,” the statement added.
The NMDPRA’s leadership transition came after Farouk Ahmed, its founding CEO, stepped down in December 2025.
He was succeeded by Saidu Mohammed, who became the authority chief executive of the NMDPRA.
