President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr. Saidu Mohammed as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and nominated Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as his replacement.
The Presidency disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Mohammed’s removal was approved “in the public interest,” while Umar’s appointment remains subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The Presidency explained that the decision was made in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and is aimed at strengthening regulatory efficiency in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It stated that the move is part of efforts to improve leadership and deepen reforms in the nation’s petroleum industry.
Rabiu Umar was described as a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.
According to the Presidency, he has built a strong reputation in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.
Umar is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
Pending Senate confirmation, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee the agency’s operations in an acting capacity.
President Tinubu also appreciated the outgoing chief executive for his service to the nation and wished him success in his future endeavours.
The Presidency added that the President remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in strategic regulatory institutions to drive energy security, strengthen reforms in the petroleum sector, and support sustainable economic growth.
