President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of six nominees for appointment as executive directors of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to the Senate for confirmation.
The nominations comprise three serving officials seeking fresh five-year terms and three new candidates, according to a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The three officials nominated for reappointment are Abiodun Adeniji, Executive Director of Finance and Accounts; Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community.
The new nominees are Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, who is being considered for the position of 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, who is expected to oversee Corporate Services and Administration.
If confirmed by the Senate, the six nominees will serve a five-year tenure at the regulatory agency.
Tinubu has also urged the Senate to give the nominations prompt consideration, stressing the need to maintain stability in the authority’s operations and improve its regulatory effectiveness.
The President said the appointments were aimed at ensuring institutional continuity and strengthening the Authority’s oversight capacity.
In a related development, the President approved the appointment of Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board/Authority and Legal Adviser of the NMDPRA.
However, her appointment is subject to the completion of statutory requirements stipulated under Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The latest nominations follow Tinubu’s appointment of Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as Chief Executive of the NMDPRA in April 2026.
The NMDPRA is responsible for regulating Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including gas processing, transportation, storage, distribution and petroleum product supply.
