President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded to the Senate the names of two nominees to head Nigeria’s key petroleum regulatory agencies following the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe, both appointed in 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The President is seeking expedited Senate confirmation for Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The two agencies were established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to regulate Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The resignations of Farouk Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe mark a significant leadership transition in Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory framework at a time when the Tinubu administration is pushing deep reforms in the oil and gas sector.
Analysts say the move underscores the government’s intent to reposition Nigeria’s upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum regulation, strengthen investor confidence and accelerate energy sector reforms under the PIA.
Eyesan is a seasoned industry professional with nearly 33 years of experience at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.
A graduate of Economics from the University of Benin, she most recently served as Executive Vice President, Upstream at NNPC Limited (2023–2024). Prior to that, she was Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy between 2019 and 2023.
Her background in strategic planning, upstream operations and corporate governance positions her as a strong candidate to oversee Nigeria’s upstream petroleum regulation, including licensing, production monitoring and compliance under the PIA.
Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe State, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, obtained in 1981.
He brings decades of experience across Nigeria’s gas, refining and energy infrastructure sectors. His previous roles include Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company.
He has also served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power Directorate, where he provided strategic leadership for critical national gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Masterplan, Gas Network Code, and contributions to the Petroleum Industry Act.
Engineer Mohammed played pivotal roles in major national projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train developments.
On the day of his nomination, he was also announced as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy, underscoring his continued relevance in the private energy sector.
President Tinubu’s request has been transmitted to the Senate for consideration. Lawmakers are expected to scrutinise the nominees’ qualifications, experience and alignment with Nigeria’s energy reform agenda before approval.
If confirmed, the new appointees will be responsible for enforcing regulatory compliance, promoting transparency and driving efficiency across Nigeria’s petroleum value chain at a time of heightened global energy transition pressures.
The nomination of new leadership for NUPRC and NMDPRA marks a critical phase in Nigeria’s oil and gas governance. With seasoned professionals selected to replace Farouk Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe, the Tinubu administration is signalling a renewed push to deepen reforms, stabilise regulation and restore confidence in Africa’s largest energy sector.
All eyes now turn to the Senate as Nigeria awaits confirmation of the new regulatory chiefs.
