President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, citing public interest.

In a related move, the President nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the regulatory body, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The decision, taken in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, is aimed at strengthening regulatory efficiency in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors, in line with the administration’s reform agenda.

Umar is described as a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience spanning the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, with a track record in strategic leadership and large-scale project delivery.

Pending Senate confirmation, the most senior official within the NMDPRA will oversee operations in an acting capacity.

President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the outgoing chief executive for his service and reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring competent leadership in key regulatory institutions to drive energy security, sector reforms, and sustainable economic growth.