JUST IN: Tinubu fires Saidu Mohammed as NMDPRA boss, nominates Rabiu Umar as replacement

President Bola Tinubu has removed Saidu Mohammed as the chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

In a statement on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu also nominated Rabiu Umar as the new CEO of the authority.

According to the statement, “the decision was taken in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

“He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

“Pending Senate confirmation of the nominee, the most senior official in the NMDPRA will oversee the affairs of the authority in an acting capacity.

“The Presidency thanked the outgoing chief executive for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours, while reiterating its commitment to appointing competent leadership in key regulatory institutions to drive reforms, energy security and economic growth,” he said.