President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated a major leadership change in Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory landscape, moving swiftly to replace the heads of two key energy agencies amid swirling corruption allegations. Engr. Farouk Ahmed, who served as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Gbenga Komolafe, the outgoing Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), have tendered their resignations from their respective positions.
The resignations follow intense public scrutiny and accusations of misconduct, particularly targeted at the NMDPRA leadership by industrial magnate Aliko Dangote. Dangote’s allegations included claims of corruption, economic sabotage, and regulatory bias that allegedly undermined local refinery operations, prompting the regulator to come under significant pressure.
In a statement from the Presidency, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga revealed that President Tinubu has already forwarded the names of two experienced industry veterans to the Senate for confirmation. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan, a seasoned professional with nearly three decades in Nigeria’s oil sector, has been nominated to lead the NUPRC. At the same time, Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed has been proposed as the new CEO of the NMDPRA.
Both nominees are described by the Presidency as highly qualified, bringing deep expertise and decades of service in the oil and gas industry. The administration is urging the Senate to expedite confirmation to ensure stability and continuity in regulatory oversight, especially at a time when the sector faces both domestic pressures and investor scrutiny.
This shake-up marks one of the most significant leadership transitions in Nigeria’s energy regulation since the Petroleum Industry Act came into force, underscoring the current administration’s push to address governance concerns and restore confidence in the nation’s oil and gas regulatory framework.
