President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr. Saidu Mohammed as Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), citing the public interest as the rationale behind the decision. In his place, President Tinubu has nominated Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive, pending Senate confirmation.
The leadership change, announced in an official State House press release on April 29, 2026, is in line with the President’s commitment to strengthening regulatory effectiveness in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors. The action was taken pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to drive sector reform and sustainable economic growth.
Mr. Umar, a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, brings over 25 years of experience in the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He is widely regarded for his strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery capabilities.
Until the Senate confirms the new nominee, the most senior official at NMDPRA will oversee the agency’s operations in an acting capacity. President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief Executive, Mr. Saidu Mohammed, for his service and extended best wishes for his future endeavors.
The President reiterated his commitment to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and Nigeria’s economic development.
