Thursday, April 30, 2026

President Tinubu nominates new oil regulator in second leadership change in four months

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as chief executive of ​the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), ‌the second leadership change at the petroleum regulator in four months, the presidency said on Tuesday.

Umar replaces Saidu Mohammed who ​was appointment in December after their predecessors abruptly ​quit, amid a high stakes clash between one agency ⁠and Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote.

Wednesday's nomination comes ​as Nigeria grapples with rising domestic energy prices, partly ​driven by higher global oil prices following the escalation of conflict involving Iran, which has heightened concerns about supply disruptions and ​increased volatility in international energy markets.

The presidency said ​the decision was made in the public interest and aimed at ‌strengthening ⁠regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

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

Umar ​has more ​than 25 ⁠years of experience across the energy, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. He previously worked at ​Dangote Cement, Nigeria’s largest cement producer, and ​has ⁠held senior roles involving operational management and large-scale project delivery.

The NMDPRA was established under a new law in ⁠2021 ​to regulate Nigeria’s midstream and ​downstream petroleum operations, a critical segment of Africa’s largest oil-producing economy.

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters

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