Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory landscape witnessed a major shake-up on Wednesday as Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), tendered their resignations.
President Bola Tinubu has swiftly moved to fill the leadership vacuum, forwarding the names of their replacements to the Senate for confirmation. The move underscores Tinubu’s determination to stabilize the petroleum sector amid ongoing disputes and governance concerns.
Ahmed and Komolafe, both appointed in 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), had overseen critical regulatory functions in Nigeria’s oil industry. Their exit comes at a time of heightened scrutiny, particularly surrounding licensing and compliance issues linked to the 20 billion Dollars Dangote Refinery project.
In a statement, the Presidency confirmed that Tinubu has nominated Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed to head the NMDPRA and Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan to lead the NUPRC. Both nominees are expected to undergo Senate screening in the coming days.
Industry analysts say the leadership changes could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s petroleum sector, which has faced challenges ranging from regulatory bottlenecks to investor confidence concerns. The appointments are seen as part of Tinubu’s broader effort to restore credibility and transparency in the industry.
The resignations have sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders. While some welcomed the shake-up as necessary for reform, others expressed concern about continuity and the potential disruption of ongoing projects.
Tinubu’s administration has emphasized that the new appointees will be tasked with strengthening oversight, resolving disputes with major industry players, and ensuring compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act.
The Nigerian Senate is expected to prioritize the confirmation hearings, given the strategic importance of the oil and gas sector to the nation’s economy.
Observers note that the outcome of these appointments will be closely watched, as they could set the tone for Nigeria’s energy policy direction in 2026 and beyond.
With the petroleum sector at the heart of Nigeria’s economic stability, the swift replacement of its regulators signals Tinubu’s intent to maintain momentum and reassure both domestic and international stakeholders.
