President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Saidu Mohammed.
He has also nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the agency, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The announcement was contained in a State House press release issued on Wednesay by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in the public interest,” Onanuga said.
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.
“The President remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth,” the statement added.
The change in leadership at the NMDPRA followed the exit of its pioneer Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, who stepped aside in December 2025.
He was subsequently replaced by Saidu Mohammed, who assumed office as Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA.
In his new role, Rabiu Abdullahi Umar is expected to bring a wealth of private-sector experience, having held top executive positions in the conglomerate of Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest person.
According to his profile, he joined Dangote Cement Plc (DCP) as group sales and marketing director with over 20 years’ experience in senior and executive functions within the downstream petroleum and cement manufacturing sectors.
In 2016, he became the managing director and CEO of Ashaka Cement Plc, where he reportedly spearheaded the turnaround of the business until his departure in 2019 to join Dangote Industries Ltd as group chief commercial officer (GCOO).
Umar is said to have started his career in Oando Plc, where he held different management roles within the marketing business and “led the Sales and Marketing Transformation plan successfully.”
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