BREAKING: Tinubu sacks Saidu Mohammed as NMDPRA boss, appoints replacement

By Ayorinde Oluokun

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday sacked Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and appointed Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar to replace him.

The President, in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his spokesperson said the sack of Saidu Mohammed was immediate and was in “the public interest’

The statement also indicated that the President has approved the appointment of Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the NMDPRA.

The appointment of Umar is subject to Senate confirmation.

Tinubu said the 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.

In the statement, the new NMDPRA boss, Umar was described as a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, and a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.

He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

According to the statement, pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee operations in an acting capacity.

President Tinubu thanks the outgoing Authority Chief Executive for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

The President remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth.

President Tinubu appointed Mohammed the boss of NMDPRA in December 2025 after the resignation of Farouk Ahmed as the chief executive of the company.

Ahmed resigned after Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive of Dangote Industries Limited levelled various allegations of corruption against him.

Dangote had also dragged Ahmed to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission for allegedly living above his means.