Tinubu Nominates Six Petroleum-Regulator Directors for Senate Confirmation

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu sent six nominations for executive-director positions at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to the Senate on October 30. Three nominees would return to the regulator, while three would join for the first time. The proposed five-year terms require Senate confirmation. The returning nominees are Abiodun Adeniji for Finance and Accounts; Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha for Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Mustapha Lamorde for Health, Safety, Environment and Community. The new nominees are Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa for Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ogechukwu Modie for Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Said Abutalib for Corporate Services and Administration. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu requested prompt Senate consideration to "ensure institutional continuity and strengthen the Authority's oversight capacity." The president also approved Jumoke Gafar as the authority's secretary and legal adviser, subject to the statutory processes in Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act. The nominations follow a separate leadership change earlier this year. On April 29, Tinubu nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar to lead the authority after removing Saidu Mohammed, with that nomination also subject to Senate confirmation. The October 30 statement describes Umar as the agency's chief executive appointed in April. For the six executive-director nominees, Senate confirmation remains the next stated step.