President Bola Tinubu has forwarded six nominees to the Senate for confirmation as Executive Directors of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The nominations were announced on Friday, October 30, 2026, by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The six nominees include three serving executive directors seeking reappointment and three new candidates. If confirmed, they will serve five-year terms.
The three serving officials nominated for another term are Abiodun Adeniji, Executive Director of Finance and Accounts; Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community.
Their nominations form part of the proposed leadership structure of the petroleum regulatory authority.
President Tinubu also nominated three new candidates for executive positions within the authority.
They are Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa for Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ogechukwu Modie for Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Said Abutalib for Corporate Services and Administration.
The nominees will oversee key operational and regulatory responsibilities if the Senate approves their appointments.
In a related development, President Tinubu approved the appointment of Mrs Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the NMDPRA Board and Authority Legal Adviser.
The appointment is subject to the statutory requirements of Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The development comes as the Federal Government continues to shape the leadership structure of the petroleum regulatory authority.
The six nominations now require Senate confirmation before the candidates can assume their proposed positions.
President Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite consideration of the nominations.
The confirmation process will determine whether the nominees take up the five-year executive director positions.
The NMDPRA is responsible for regulating Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including gas processing, transportation, storage, distribution and petroleum product supply.
