Tinubu sacks NMDPRA CEO, nominates Rabiu Umar as replacement

By Damilare Adeleye

President Bola Tinubu has terminated the appointment of Saidu Mohammed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced that Tinubu has nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new CEO of the authority. 

This decision, made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. 

Onanuga described Umar as a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, noting his proven track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery. 

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

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

Meanwhile, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the outgoing Chief Executive’s service and wished him well in his future endeavors. 

Onanuga added that the President remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth. 

President Bola Tinubu had appointed Saidu Mohammed last December following the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed amid corruption allegations.