Tinubu Sacks NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed, Nominates Rabiu Umar as Replacement

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) in what the Presidency described as action taken in the public interest.

The President also nominated Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the decision was made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the nation’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

The Presidency said the move aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and broader efforts to reposition critical institutions in the oil and gas industry.

Rabiu Umar, the new nominee, is described as a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.

He is said to have built a strong record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.

Umar is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University Kano and also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

Pending Senate confirmation of his appointment, the most senior official within the NMDPRA will oversee the affairs of the agency in an acting capacity.

President Tinubu thanked the outgoing chief executive, Saidu Mohammed, for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

The statement added that the President remains committed to ensuring competent leadership across key regulatory institutions to enhance energy security, deepen sector reforms, and drive sustainable economic growth.