Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — In a major shake-up of leadership in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework, the chief executives of both the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have resigned from their positions, prompting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move swiftly to nominate successors and seek the Senate’s approval for new appointments.
The departures of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, who served as the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, and Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC, were confirmed by the Presidency on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Both men were appointed in 2021 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the petroleum sector regulatory bodies established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
In official letters transmitted to the Senate of the Federal Republic, President Tinubu proposed the names of two seasoned professionals to take over the leadership of the regulatory bodies. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan has been nominated for confirmation as the new Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC, while Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed has been put forward as the successor for the NMDPRA.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the nominations are aimed at ensuring continuity and effective regulatory oversight within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, at a time when reforms and investment interest in the sector remain high. Both nominees were described as experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in oil and gas operations, strategy and regulatory governance.
Ms. Eyesan, an economics graduate from the University of Benin, retired as Executive Vice President in the Upstream Directorate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) after nearly 33 years of service, including senior leadership roles in corporate planning and strategy. Engineer Mohammed, a chemical engineer by training, has held senior positions including Managing Director at Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, and strategic leadership roles on major national gas infrastructure projects.
The resignations come amid heightened public scrutiny of leadership performance within regulatory agencies, including a high-profile dispute involving the outgoing NMDPRA boss and noted industrialist Aliko Dangote, who had publicly aired allegations against his conduct. While the full details of the dispute remain subject to internal review and public debate, the leadership change marks a notable transition within the sector.
President Tinubu’s request for Senate confirmation is set to be expedited, reflecting the administration’s intent to fill the regulatory vacuum quickly and maintain stability in sector governance. Confirmation by the Senate will pave the way for the new chief executives to assume their roles and advance Nigeria’s regulatory agenda in the upstream and midstream/downstream petroleum segments.
As the nominees await legislative approval, stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have expressed cautious optimism that the leadership transition will align with Nigeria’s broader goals of enhancing production oversight, improving operational efficiency and attracting investment. The regulatory authorities play a critical role in implementing the PIA, shaping policy, and ensuring compliance among industry players at a time when global energy dynamics and domestic energy security remain high priorities.
The Senate screening process and confirmation hearings are expected to be closely watched by industry observers, political analysts, and investors, as Nigeria pursues reforms aimed at strengthening governance and transparency within its oil and gas sector.
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