President Bola Tinubu has taken fresh steps to reorganise Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory space following the resignation of the heads of two key petroleum agencies.
The President has formally written to the Senate, seeking confirmation of new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The request, contained in separate letters transmitted to the Red Chamber on Wednesday, comes after the exit of the agencies’ current leaders. The development signals a major shift at the top of the country’s petroleum regulatory institutions.
Farouk Ahmed has resigned his position as Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, while Gbenga Komolafe stepped down as Chief Executive of the NUPRC.
Both men were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari following the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, which restructured the oil and gas sector and created the two regulatory bodies.
President Tinubu, in his communication to the Senate, nominated new candidates to take over the leadership of the agencies. The nominees are expected to undergo screening and confirmation in line with constitutional provisions before assuming office.
The Presidency confirmed the development in an official statement, noting that the changes were necessary to ensure effective leadership and continuity in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.
More details are expected to emerge as the Senate begins deliberation on the nominees.