Tinubu Nominates New Oil Regulators as Farouk Ahmed, Komolafe Exit

President Bola Tinubu has submitted the names of two nominees to the Senate for confirmation as new heads of Nigeria’s key petroleum regulatory agencies, following the resignation of their chief executives.

The President is seeking legislative approval for Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The nominations come in the wake of the departure of Engineer Farouk Ahmed, former head of the NMDPRA, and Gbenga Komolafe, who until recently led the NUPRC.

Both Ahmed and Komolafe were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari after the creation of the regulatory bodies under the Petroleum Industry Act.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had written to the Senate requesting expedited consideration and confirmation of the nominees to ensure continuity in the regulation and oversight of the oil and gas sector.

Eyesan, an economist and seasoned industry professional, spent nearly 33 years with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its subsidiaries. She retired in 2024 as Executive Vice President, Upstream, and previously served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, between 2019 and 2023.

Mohammed, a chemical engineer, is a former NNPC Group Executive Director in charge of the Gas and Power Directorate and is widely regarded as a central figure in Nigeria’s gas development efforts. Born in 1957 in Gombe State, he graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 and has held several senior roles, including Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company.

His career also includes chairing the boards of the West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries and NNPC Retail. He played prominent roles in major projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline and Nigeria LNG expansion programmes.

The leadership changes come amid increased scrutiny of Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Ahmed, the former NMDPRA chief, was recently accused of economic sabotage and corruption by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, allegations that have continued to generate widespread public debate.

If confirmed by the Senate, the new appointees are expected to lead the regulatory agencies during a critical period marked by ongoing reforms and a renewed focus on transparency, investment and stability in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.