President Tinubu has appointed Rabiu Umar, a staff member of Dangote Industries Limited, as the new CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), following the removal of Saidu Mohammed.
This was revealed by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga who said in a statement on Wednesday that the president approved Mr Mohammed’s removal “in the public interest.”
Mr Umar before his appointment served as Group Sales and Marketing Director at Dangote Cement Plc. He also has over 20 years of experience in senior and executive roles across the downstream petroleum and cement manufacturing sectors.
It is anticipated that Mr. Umar will leave Dangote Industries Limited as Group Chief Commercial Officer in order to assume the new post.
Mr. Onanuga further stated that until the Senate confirms Mr. Umar’s nomination, NMDPRA’s top official will operate in that role.
As NMDPRA CEO, Mr Umar will also coordinate measures to prevent indiscriminate increases in fuel prices.
BACKSTORY…
Barely 24 hours ago, President Tinubu sacked Saidu Mohammed as the chief B officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
His removal comes only four months after he took over from Farouk Ahmed, the authority’s erstwhile CEO, in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Mr Umar’s appointment follows less than five months after Mr Tinubu appointed Mr Mohammed to succeed Farouk Ahmed, the former NMDPRA chief.
Farouk engaged in a prolonged public dispute with Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, over the issuance of petroleum import licences.
Dangote accused Ahmed of economic sabotage and demanded that he go before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to explain to Nigerians how he allegedly raised $5 million for his children’s tuition.
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