NMDPRA, NUPRC Chief Executives Resign, Tinubu Nominates Replacements

By Chinedu Echianu

The Chief executives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Farouk Ahmed and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Gbenga Komolafe have resigned their appointments with immediate effect.

Ahmed’s resignation follows corruption allegations levelled against him by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

It is not however clear if the resignation is in relation to the allegation.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to the Senate for confirmation.

The President’s request was conveyed in separate letters sent to the Senate on Wednesday.

Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari after the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, which restructured Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.