President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Saidu Mohammed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) while the official was attending an international conference in Germany.
The decision was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, just four months after Mohammed’s appointment to the position.
Although the presidency did not provide detailed reasons for the removal, the statement said the action was taken in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
Reports indicate that Mohammed was leading Nigeria’s delegation to the Pipeline Technology Conference in Berlin, Germany, which is holding from April 27 to April 30, 2026, when news of his dismissal emerged.
President Tinubu has nominated Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
According to the presidency, the leadership change is intended to improve regulatory efficiency within Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.
The statement described Umar as an experienced executive with more than 25 years of professional experience spanning the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure industries. He was also praised for his background in strategic management, operational reforms, and large-scale project execution.
Umar studied Accounting at Bayero University and also attended Harvard Business School.
The presidency further disclosed that the most senior official within the NMDPRA will supervise the agency in an acting capacity pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee.
President Tinubu appreciated Mohammed for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strong leadership in regulatory institutions to support energy security, industry reforms, and economic growth.
