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 nominees comprise three serving executive directors seeking reappointment 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 nominees proposed for reappointment are Abiodun Adeniji, Executive Director, Finance and Accounts; Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community.
Those nominated for new appointments are Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ogechukwu Modie, Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Said Abutalib, Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration.
The Presidency said all six nominees would serve five-year terms if confirmed by the Senate.
In forwarding the nominations, Tinubu urged the lawmakers to consider them expeditiously to ensure continuity in the operations of the authority and strengthen its regulatory and oversight responsibilities.
The President also approved the appointment of Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board and Authority as well as Legal Adviser to the NMDPRA.
Her appointment is, however, subject to the completion of the statutory procedures prescribed under Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The latest nominations form part of the ongoing leadership and administrative arrangements at the petroleum regulatory authority, which is responsible for regulating Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
The NMDPRA oversees activities across key segments of the petroleum industry, including the transportation, storage, distribution and supply of petroleum products, as well as related infrastructure and regulatory compliance.
In April 2026, Tinubu appointed Engineer Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the chief executive of the authority.
The Senate’s consideration of the six nominations will determine whether the nominees can assume their proposed positions for the next five years.
The appointments are expected to shape the authority’s leadership structure across finance, infrastructure, safety, economic regulation and corporate administration.
