By Chesa Chesa
Citing “public interest”, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr. Saidu Mohammed as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and nominated Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as his replacement.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the decision was taken in the public interest and in line with provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
According to the statement, the move is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the country’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The presidency said the appointment of Umar is subject to confirmation by the Senate, but until then, the most senior official of the authority will oversee operations in an acting capacity.
The statement described Umar as a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning the energy, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. It added that he has built a reputation in strategic leadership, operational transformation and delivery of major projects.
Umar studied Accounting at Bayero University and is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the outgoing chief executive for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.
The presidency added that the President remains committed to appointing capable leaders to strategic regulatory institutions in order to promote energy security, sector reforms and sustainable economic growth.
