President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated six executive directors for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as part of efforts to strengthen the agency’s regulatory capacity and ensure continuity in its operations.
The nominations, contained in a letter forwarded to the Senate, comprise three returning executive directors and three new appointees. The nominees, upon confirmation by the Senate, will serve a five-year term.
The President urged the Senate to expedite consideration of the nominations to strengthen the Authority’s oversight functions and ensure uninterrupted institutional operations.
President Tinubu said the appointments were necessary to ensure “institutional continuity and strengthen the Authority’s oversight capacity.”
The three executive directors nominated for reappointment are Mr Abiodun Adeniji, Executive Director, Finance and Accounts; Mr Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community.
The newly nominated executive directors are Mr Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ms Ogechukwu Modie, Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Mr Said Abutalib, Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration.
In another development, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board/Authority and Legal Adviser, subject to the completion of statutory requirements under Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The latest appointments follow the President’s appointment of Engr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as Chief Executive of the NMDPRA in April.
The nominations are expected to strengthen the Authority’s leadership structure and support effective regulation of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.