Farouk Ahmed Resigns After Dangote Accusation as Tinubu Nominates New Heads of Petroleum Regulators
Advertisements
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of two new chief executives to the Senate for confirmation following the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed and Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, the heads of Nigeria’s midstream/downstream and upstream petroleum regulatory agencies.
The development follows allegations and public controversy surrounding the leadership of the petroleum regulators, raising renewed concerns about transparency, accountability, and governance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Ejes Gist News reports that the resignations mark one of the most significant shake-ups in the regulatory architecture established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Also Read : Delta Govt Approves ₦42bn Infrastructure Projects Covering Roads, Flood Control, Power
Advertisements
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that President Tinubu had written separate letters to the Senate seeking expedited confirmation of new nominees to lead the two key regulatory bodies.
According to the presidency, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan has been nominated as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), while Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed was named as the proposed Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Pay Attention To: BREAKING: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Dies in Saudi Arabia
Advertisements
The nominations followed the resignation of Farouk Ahmed, who served as CEO of the NMDPRA, and Gbenga Komolafe, who headed the NUPRC. Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act, which restructured Nigeria’s oil and gas governance framework and unbundled the former Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).
Background to the Regulatory Shake-Up
While the presidency did not officially disclose the details behind the resignations, the exits come amid public allegations and heightened scrutiny of the petroleum regulators’ leadership.
Business mogul Aliko Dangote had, in a recent public intervention, accused the former NMDPRA chief, Farouk Ahmed, of alleged financial impropriety, including claims relating to the misuse of public resources. The allegations, which have not been established by a court of law, triggered widespread debate and calls for greater accountability within the sector.
Neither the presidency nor the affected officials provided detailed responses to the allegations at the time of the announcement.
Role of NUPRC and NMDPRA Under the PIA
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority were created under the PIA to oversee different segments of the petroleum value chain.
Their mandates include:
- Regulation and supervision of petroleum operations
- Ensuring compliance with industry standards
- Promoting transparency and efficiency
- Supporting investment and sector reforms
Since their establishment, both agencies have played central roles in implementing post-PIA reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Profile of NUPRC Nominee: Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan
Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan is a veteran economist with extensive experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. She is a graduate of the University of Benin and spent nearly 33 years at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.
She retired in 2024 as Executive Vice President, Upstream, where she oversaw upstream operations, investment strategies, and production planning. Between 2019 and 2023, she served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, playing a key role in NNPC’s transition under the PIA framework.
Industry analysts describe her nomination as an effort to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge at the upstream regulator during a period of heightened scrutiny.
Profile of NMDPRA Nominee: Saidu Aliyu Mohammed
Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed brings decades of technical and executive experience to the midstream and downstream regulator.
Born in 1957 in Gombe State, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He recently served as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.
His career includes previous roles as:
- Managing Director, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company
- Managing Director, Nigerian Gas Company
- Group Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power Directorate
He has also chaired several boards, including the West African Gas Pipeline Company and Nigeria LNG subsidiaries.
According to the presidency, Mohammed played key roles in major national gas infrastructure projects, including the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline.
Senate Confirmation and Sector Expectations
The Senate is expected to consider the president’s request for expedited confirmation in the coming days. If confirmed, the new appointees will assume office at a critical time for Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The Tinubu administration has signalled its intention to restore confidence in regulatory institutions, address governance concerns, and deepen reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act.
Observers say the leadership changes underscore growing pressure on public institutions to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process in the management of Nigeria’s energy resources.
