A Turning Point in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Leadership
The
resignation of Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and
Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Gbenga Komolafe, Chief
Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),
marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory landscape.
Both men were appointed in 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), a landmark legislation designed to reform and stabilize Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Their departure, announced in
December 2025, has opened the door for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reshape
leadership in these critical institutions.
President
Tinubu wasted no time in nominating successors, urging the Senate to expedite
confirmation. For the NUPRC, he has put forward Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo
Eyesan, a seasoned economist and oil industry veteran.
Eyesan’s
career spans over three decades at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company
(NNPC) and its subsidiaries, where she rose to the position of Executive Vice
President, Upstream. Her background in corporate planning and strategy, coupled
with her leadership in upstream operations, positions her as a technocrat with
both vision and experience.
At the
NMDPRA, Tinubu has nominated Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, another heavyweight
in Nigeria’s energy sector. Born in Gombe in 1957, Mohammed graduated in
Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University and has held leadership roles
across the Nigerian Gas Company, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, and
NNPC Retail. His influence extends beyond corporate management; he played a
pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s gas policy frameworks, including the Gas
Masterplan and Gas Network Code, and contributed to the Petroleum Industry Act
itself. His track record includes oversight of major projects such as the
Escravos, Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas
Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train developments.
The
resignations and subsequent nominations are more than routine administrative
changes; they represent a recalibration of Nigeria’s energy governance at a
time when global oil markets are volatile and domestic energy reforms are
urgent.
Tinubu’s
choices reflect a preference for technocrats with deep institutional knowledge
and proven records in delivering complex projects. This move could signal a
renewed push to stabilize Nigeria’s petroleum sector, enhance transparency, and
accelerate infrastructure development.
Yet, the
transition also raises questions about continuity and reform. Ahmed and
Komolafe were instrumental in establishing the regulatory frameworks of their
agencies under the PIA.
Their
exit leaves unfinished business, particularly in areas of compliance,
investment attraction, and balancing the interests of international oil
companies with Nigeria’s national priorities. Eyesan and Mohammed inherit not
just titles but the weight of expectations from a nation where oil and gas
remain the backbone of the economy.
In the
broader political context, Tinubu’s nominations underscore his determination to
consolidate control over strategic sectors and ensure that leadership aligns
with his administration’s vision.
The
Senate’s confirmation process will be closely watched, not only for its speed
but for the signals it sends about Nigeria’s commitment to reform and stability
in the energy sector.
This
moment may just be a test of Nigeria’s ability to manage leadership transitions
in critical institutions without losing momentum.
If Eyesan
and Mohammed can leverage their experience to strengthen regulatory oversight,
drive investment, and advance infrastructure projects, their appointments may
well mark a new chapter of resilience and progress in Nigeria’s oil and gas
industry.
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