President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of six executive director nominees of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to the Senate for confirmation, in a move aimed at strengthening the agency’s leadership and regulatory capacity.
The nominations, announced on Friday, October 30, 2026, comprise three serving directors seeking reappointment and three new nominees. If confirmed by the Senate, all six will serve five-year terms.
The development comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to strengthen institutions responsible for regulating Nigeria’s petroleum industry, particularly the midstream and downstream sectors.
The three directors 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.
The three new nominees are Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, nominated as Executive Director of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ogechukwu Modie, nominated as Executive Director of Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Said Abutalib, nominated as Executive Director of Corporate Services and Administration.
Their nominations were conveyed to the Senate in a letter from the President, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu urged the Senate to consider the nominations expeditiously, stressing the need to maintain institutional continuity and strengthen the authority’s oversight responsibilities.
The proposed appointments cover important areas of the petroleum regulatory system, including financial management, infrastructure, economic regulation, environmental safety and corporate administration.
The role of the NMDPRA is particularly important because the authority oversees activities in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors. These include aspects of gas processing and transportation, petroleum product distribution, storage and retail operations.
Its regulatory responsibilities also extend to ensuring compliance with industry standards, monitoring operators and promoting safety across facilities and infrastructure under its supervision.
The selection of three returning directors alongside three new nominees combines continuity in existing leadership with appointments to other key positions.
In a related development, Tinubu approved the appointment of Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board and Authority and Legal Adviser. Her appointment is subject to the completion of statutory requirements under Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act.
Gafar’s appointment is expected to provide legal and administrative support to the authority’s board and management structure.
The latest nominations follow the President’s appointment of Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as Chief Executive of the NMDPRA in April 2026.
The Senate’s consideration of the six nominees will determine whether they can formally assume the proposed positions for the next five years.
The appointments are expected to shape the authority’s leadership as Nigeria continues to implement reforms in the petroleum sector and strengthen regulation of activities involving petroleum products, gas infrastructure and distribution networks.