President Tinubu has approved the removal of Saidu Mohammed and nominated Umar as replacement, subject to Senate confirmation.
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) and nominated Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as his replacement. The development was announced on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, through a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate. Pending that confirmation, the most senior official within the NMDPRA will oversee the affairs of the authority in an acting capacity.
“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.”
Mr. Mohammed’s removal comes just four months after he assumed office in December 2025, following the exit of NMDPRA’s pioneer Chief Executive, Mr. Farouk Ahmed. The Presidency stated that the decision was taken in the public interest.
Background on the Nominee
Rabiu Abdullahi Umar has over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He began his career at Oando Plc, holding senior management roles within the downstream petroleum business. He later served as Managing Director and CEO of Ashaka Cement Plc from 2016, before moving to Dangote Industries Ltd in 2019 as Group Chief Commercial Officer. He is
a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University, Kano, and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, as well as a member of the Institute of Directors.
The Presidency thanked the outgoing Authority Chief Executive for his service and reiterated the administration’s commitment to appointing capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to drive reforms, energy security, and economic growth.
DAPPMAN takes note of this development at the NMDPRA and will continue to monitor the confirmation process. As a key stakeholder in the downstream petroleum sector, the association remains engaged with regulatory authorities on matters affecting the industry.
