Reporting by **Leadership** indicates that President Bola Tinubu has nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This marks the second leadership change at the agency in just four months, following the removal of Saidu Mohammed in what the Presidency described as a move made in the “public interest.”
Umar, who brings over 25 years of experience from the manufacturing and energy sectors, including a senior role at Dangote Cement, is expected to oversee a segment currently facing high volatility. The nomination comes as Nigeria struggles with rising domestic energy prices fueled by global supply disruptions and Middle East tensions.
**The Nation** reported that “President sacks NMDPRA’s Chief Executive” to make room for Umar, while **Vanguard** noted that the change is aimed at “strengthening regulatory effectiveness” during a period of high stakes for the petroleum sector.
**Echotitbits take:** The rapid turnover at the NMDPRA suggests dissatisfaction at the highest levels with how the midstream and downstream sectors are being managed. Umar’s background with the Dangote Group is particularly notable given the recent regulatory friction between the government and the Dangote Refinery.
Source: BusinessDay – https://businessday.ng/news/article/tinubu-sacks-nmdpras-chief-nominates-rabiu-umar-as-replacement/, April 30, 2026
Photo credit: BusinessDay
