Tinubu Sends Six NMDPRA Nominees To Senate, Demands Swift Confirmation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated six individuals for appointment as executive directors of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), forwarding their names to the Senate for confirmation.

The nominations were conveyed in a letter to the upper legislative chamber, with three serving executive directors nominated for another term and three new candidates proposed for different positions within the regulatory agency.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the development was disclosed on Friday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The three returning nominees are Abiodun Adeniji, proposed as Executive Director of Finance and Accounts; Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, nominated for Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Dr Mustapha Lamorde, who is expected to retain the position of Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community.

The three new nominees are Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, proposed as Executive Director of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ogechukwu Modie, nominated for Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Said Abutalib, proposed as Executive Director of Corporate Services and Administration.

President Tinubu has urged the Senate to consider and approve the nominations without unnecessary delay, explaining that the appointments are important for maintaining institutional continuity and strengthening the authority’s regulatory and supervisory responsibilities.

The statement added that all six nominees would serve five-year terms if their appointments receive Senate approval.

In a related development, the President has approved the appointment of Mrs Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board and Authority as well as Legal Adviser, subject to the completion of the statutory procedures outlined in Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The latest nominations follow Tinubu’s appointment of Engr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the NMDPRA chief executive in April.