Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Boss, Appoints Rabiu Umar As Replacement

Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Boss, Appoints Rabiu Umar As Replacement
Rabiu Umar appointed as replacement to lead petroleum regulatory authority
Decision reflects push for stronger leadership in Nigeria’s energy sector

President Bola Tinubu has removed Saidu Mohammed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the development was announced on Wednesday while Mohammed was on official duty in Berlin, Germany. Earlier in the day, the agency had confirmed via its 𝕏 handle that Mohammed was leading a delegation to the Pipeline Technology Conference holding from April 27 to 30, 2026.

“The Authority Chief Executives, Engr. Saidu Mohammed leads NMDPRA delegates to the Pipeline Technology Conference taking place in Berlin, Germany, from 27th to 30th April, 2026,” the post read.

However, hours after the update, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Mohammed had been removed from office.

Onanuga announced that Rabiu Abdullahi Umar has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA.

He said the President appreciated Mohammed for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

According to Onanuga, the decision aligns with the administration’s commitment to strengthening leadership across key regulatory institutions to drive energy security, sector reforms, and sustainable economic growth.

Mohammed’s removal comes months after a controversy surrounding his proposed appointment as an independent non-executive director of Seplat Energy in December 2025, which he later declined.

He was appointed NMDPRA boss on December 17, 2025, following the resignation of his predecessor, Farouk Ahmed, on the same day the Seplat board announcement was made.

The latest development also follows a pattern of leadership changes under the current administration, including the removal of the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Ogbonnaya Orji, in November 2025 while he was on an official trip abroad.