Farouk Ahmed has resigned from his position as Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) following corruption allegations made against him by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who also announced that Gbenga Komolafe has exited his role as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The twin leadership changes mark a major shake-up in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory sector.
According to Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of two nominees to the Senate for confirmation to fill the vacant positions. The president requested that lawmakers expedite the confirmation process to ensure continuity and stability within the petroleum regulatory framework.
Under the nominations, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC, while Saidu Mohammed has been nominated to head the NMDPRA. The presidency described both nominees as experienced professionals with strong backgrounds in the oil and gas industry.
Farouk Ahmed’s resignation comes amid heightened scrutiny of regulatory institutions, following public allegations raised by Aliko Dangote concerning alleged corruption and regulatory misconduct. While investigations and official findings have not yet been made public, the leadership change signals the administration’s intent to address concerns and reinforce accountability in the sector.
The restructuring is expected to play a critical role in shaping regulatory oversight as Nigeria continues reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act. Attention is now focused on the Senate’s confirmation process and how the incoming leadership will steer the agencies amid ongoing industry challenges.
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