President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, and nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as his replacement.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency said Umar’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
The decision, according to the statement, was taken in the public interest and pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. It said the move is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector.
Umar is described as a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
Pending his confirmation, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee the authority in an acting capacity.
Bianca as Minister of Foreign Affairs
In a related development, Tinubu also appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of Foreign Affairs following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The President also nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.
Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, was until his nomination Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations. He previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held diplomatic postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi.
The Presidency said the appointments are part of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture, strengthen global partnerships and advance economic diplomacy.
Tinubu congratulated the appointees and urged them to work to promote Nigeria’s national interest, regional stability and the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad.
