President Bola Tinubu has sacked Saidu Mohammed as head of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream oil regulator and nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar to take over, pending Senate approval.
The shake-up at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) was announced Tuesday night by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu said the change is “in the public interest” and part of efforts to sharpen regulation in the sector under his Renewed Hope Agenda. The move was made under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
Umar comes with a hefty CV: 25 years in energy, manufacturing and infrastructure, plus a track record in “strategic leadership and large-scale project delivery.” He’s a Bayero University accounting graduate and a Harvard Business School alum.
Mohammed is out effective immediately. Until the Senate screens Umar, the most senior official at NMDPRA will hold the fort in acting capacity.
The President thanked Mohammed for his service and wished him well.
Tinubu has been tweaking leadership at key energy agencies, saying he wants “capable hands” to drive sector reform, energy security, and economic growth.
The NMDPRA regulates everything from refineries and depots to petrol stations and gas distribution — making it a crucial player as Nigeria tries to stabilise fuel supply and pricing post-subsidy.
All eyes now shift to the Senate for Umar’s confirmation hearing.
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