President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nominations of two new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The requests followed the sudden resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC. Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
To fill these positions, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Wednesday evening, said President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.
The two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.
READ ALSO: NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Denies Responding to Dangote’s Allegations
Eyesan, a graduate of Economics from the University of Benin, spent nearly 33 years with the NNPC and its subsidiaries. She retired as Executive Vice President, Upstream (2023–2024), and previously served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at NNPC from 2019 to 2023.
Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe, graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering. He was announced today as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.
His prior roles included Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, as well as Chair of the boards of West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail.
READ ALSO: Dangote Says Petrol Pump Price will drop to N740/litre, Accuses NMDPRA of Sabotage
He also served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power Directorate, where he provided strategic leadership for major gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Masterplan, Gas Network Code, and contributions to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Engineer Mohammed played a pivotal role in delivering key projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train.
Background of the dispute
The disagreement stems from long‑running tensions between the Dangote Group, particularly Dangote Refinery, and the NMDPRA over fuel import licensing and local refining policy.
Dangote has repeatedly criticised the regulator for issuing import licences that allow cheap refined fuel imports, which he says undermine the viability of domestic refining capacity and frustrate Nigeria’s energy security goals.
The dispute traces back at least to mid‑2024, after Dangote Refinery commenced operations and regulatory positions on product quality and import policy created friction.
Recent escalation of allegations
In December 2025, Aliko Dangote publicly accused the NMDPRA boss, Farouk Ahmed, of corruption and economic sabotage. Dangote claims Ahmed and the authority have acted in ways that hamper Nigeria’s refining sector, preferring importers over local production. He also alleged that Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means, citing millions of dollars purportedly spent on the overseas education of the regulator’s children, and has called for formal investigations by anti‑graft agencies, including the ICPC.
Regulatory and legal actions
Dangote submitted a formal petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Farouk Ahmed, prompting the agency to confirm it received the complaint and will investigate the allegations.
READ ALSO: ActionAid Nigeria Demands Probe into Alleged NMDPRA Corruption
In addition, the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources has stepped in, summoning both parties and calling for a halt to public hostilities while it investigates and seeks to mediate.
Responses from the NMDPRA boss
Ahmed had denied the corruption claims and described some circulating statements as “wild and spurious”. He had welcomed formal investigation by anti‑corruption bodies to clear his name, emphasising professional conduct and refraining from engaging in public back‑and‑forth.
Wider industry and political reactions
Oil marketers and sector associations had urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene to prevent further escalation that could adversely impact the downstream oil sector’s stability.
Sunday Michael Ogwu is a Nigerian journalist and editor of Pinnacle Daily. He is known for his work in business and economic reporting. He has held editorial roles in prominent Nigerian media outlets, where he has focused on economic policy, financial markets, and developmental issues affecting Nigeria and Africa more broadly.
