By Obiabin Onukwugha
President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Mr. Umar, who replaces the sacked Saidu Mohammed was until his appointment the Group Sales and Marketing Director of Dangote Group.
The new appointment, which is subject to confirmation of the Nigerian Senate, was announced on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the removal of Mohammed, which was “made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda”.
President Tinubu thanked the outgoing Authority Chief Executive for his service to the nation and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Onanuga said the President “remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth.”
Pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee operations in an acting capacity,” the statement read.
NatureNews notes that Mr. Mohammed was sacked while he was in Berlin, Germany, participating at the 21st edition of the Pipeline Technology Conference.
The annual conference focuses on shaping the future of safe, reliable, and low-emission pipeline systems, and has industry leaders and operators from over 60 countries in attendance.
With over 20 years experience in senior and executive functions within the downstream Petroleum and Cement manufacturing sectors, Mr Umar started his career in Oando Plc and rapidly rose to hold different management roles within the marketing and business functions.
In 2014 he moved to Lafarge Africa as the Energy and Power Director and subsequently managed Strategy and Business Development portfolio for West Africa and also led the development and execution of critical projects within Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroun.
In 2016 he was appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ashaka Cement Plc where he spearheaded the turnaround of the business unit and thereafter in 2019 joined Dangote Industries Limited as Group Chief Commercial Officer.
A graduate of Accounting from Bayero University, Kano and an Alumnus of Harvard Business School, Umar is also a member of the Institute of Directors.
