The Chief Executives of Nigeria’s two key petroleum regulators—Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Engineer Gbenga Komolafe of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)—have tendered their resignations.

The Nigerian presidency announced the exits Wednesday, with nominations sent to the Senate for confirmation of their successors.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the departures, noting that both Ahmed and Komolafe were appointed in 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the newly created agencies established by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

New Nominees

• Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan (NUPRC): A 33-year veteran of NNPC, most recently serving as Executive VP Upstream (2023–2024). Former Group GM Corporate Planning & Strategy.
• Saidu Aliyu Mohammed (NMDPRA): Chemical Engineering graduate (ABU, 1981); former MD of Kaduna Refinery and Nigerian Gas Company; GED/COO Gas & Power; chaired WAGP and NLNG subsidiaries; played key roles in the AKK Pipeline, Gas Master Plan, and PIA implementation.

Context

The shake-up follows weeks of controversy, including public accusations by Aliko Dangote against Ahmed of corruption—alleging over $5 million in Swiss school fees—and sabotage through import licences that undermined domestic refining efforts.

Observers view the resignations as clearing the path for fresh leadership amid refinery-fuel import tensions and challenges in fully implementing the PIA. Senate confirmation of the nominees is expected to proceed swiftly.