President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Saidu Mohammed, and nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as his replacement, pending Senate confirmation.
The decision was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the removal was carried out in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, and is aimed at improving efficiency within the country’s midstream and downstream petroleum regulatory framework.
“The President has approved the removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA in the public interest,” the statement read.
It added that the move forms part of broader efforts by the administration to strengthen oversight and reposition the energy sector for improved performance.
Umar, the nominee, is described as an experienced professional with over 25 years spanning the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.
He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and has attended executive programmes at Harvard Business School.
“The nomination of Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar is in line with the administration’s commitment to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions,” Onanuga stated.
Pending confirmation by the Senate, the most senior official within the NMDPRA will oversee the agency’s operations in an acting capacity.
The Presidency expressed appreciation to the outgoing chief executive for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours.
“The government remains committed to advancing energy security, sector reforms, and sustainable economic growth through competent leadership,” the statement added.
Mohammed had taken over leadership of the authority following the exit of its pioneer chief executive, Farouk Ahmed, in December 2025.
