Farouk Ahmed, Gbenga Komolafe Resign, Tinubu Announces Successors

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.