According to The Punch, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated 21 individuals to the boards of the nation’s primary energy regulators, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Leading the nominations is Senator Magnus Abe, who has been tapped as the NUPRC chairman, a move intended to bring political experience and technical oversight to the oil and gas sector.
The President’s request for Senate confirmation emphasizes the need for a professional and transparent regulatory environment. By appointing seasoned figures like Adegbite Ebiowei Adeniji to lead the NMDPRA, the administration hopes to accelerate the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and attract significant foreign direct investment to the energy sector.
Validation for these appointments was found in Leadership and ThisDay. Leadership confirmed that ‘Tinubu names Magnus Abe, 20 others to NUPRC, NMDPRA boards,’ while ThisDay highlighted that the President ‘seeks Senate’s swift confirmation’ to ensure there is no vacuum in the oversight of Nigeria’s most critical revenue-generating sector.
Echotitbits take: These appointments are a clear signal that the government wants to move beyond the transition phase of the PIA. Magnus Abe’s appointment is particularly strategic, combining his previous experience on the NNPC board with his political clout. The immediate priority for these boards will be resolving the lingering bottlenecks in local refining and increasing crude output.
Source: Guardian – https://guardian.ng/energy/macroeconomic-stability-will-increase-energy-sector-investment/ January 6 2026
Photo Credit: Guardian
