-Tinubu Names New Heads for NMDPRA, NUPRC After Shock Resignations
Farouk Ahmed has resigned as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) following corruption allegations levelled against him by the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
The resignation was disclosed on Wednesday by Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in an official statement.
In the wake of the development, President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to approve the appointment of new chief executives for both the NMDPRA and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
READ ALSO: Dangote Accuses Oil ‘Cabal’ Of Sabotaging His $20B Refinery
According to the presidency, the request followed the sudden resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC.
Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to head the two regulatory agencies established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
In a statement issued Wednesday evening, Onanuga said President Tinubu has written to the Senate, seeking expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as the new Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as the new CEO of the NMDPRA.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price To ₦699/Litre
“The two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry,” the statement noted, adding that their appointments are aimed at ensuring continuity, stability and effective regulation of Nigeria’s vital petroleum sector.
The latest shake-up comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, as the Tinubu administration pushes reforms, transparency and efficiency under the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act.