President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sought Senate approval for new chief executives to lead Nigeria’s key petroleum regulatory bodies, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). This significant move follows the resignations of Engineer Farouk Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe from their respective positions, with Ahmed’s departure notably occurring amid serious corruption allegations leveled by industrialist Aliko Dangote. The nominations aim to bring stability and renewed leadership to a critical sector grappling with transparency concerns.

The President’s request to the Senate names Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as the proposed CEO for NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed for NMDPRA. Both nominees are seasoned professionals within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, poised to take the helm of agencies established under the landmark Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021. Their swift confirmation is anticipated as the administration seeks to reinforce governance in the energy sector.

Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, publicly accused former NMDPRA chief Farouk Ahmed of living far beyond his legitimate means. At a recent press briefing, Dangote specifically alleged that Ahmed spent over seven million dollars on the education of his four children in Switzerland, with a substantial portion reportedly paid upfront for a six-year period. These grave accusations have prompted the billionaire industrialist to formally petition the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for a thorough investigation.

The petition, dated December 16 and submitted through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, urges the ICPC to arrest, investigate, and prosecute Engineer Ahmed. Dangote’s formal complaint asserts that Ahmed grossly abused his office, engaged in monumental corruption, and unlawfully spent public funds amounting to millions of dollars. The anti-graft body has acknowledged receipt of the detailed petition, signaling the commencement of a potential high-profile inquiry into the allegations.

Engineer Farouk Ahmed initially faced a purported defense statement circulating on Tuesday, which suggested that his unwavering stance against opacity in the petroleum sector fueled animosity against him. This statement claimed that three of his four children in Swiss secondary schools were on merit-based scholarships covering 40% to 65% of expenses, with additional funding from inherited wealth and personal savings. However, Ahmed swiftly disowned this statement on Wednesday, clarifying that it did not emanate from him and opting not to engage in public debate, preferring instead to clear his name through formal investigative institutions.

Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan brings nearly 33 years of experience from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its subsidiaries to her proposed role at NUPRC. An Economics graduate from the University of Benin, she recently served as Executive Vice President, Upstream, from 2023 to 2024. Her distinguished career also includes a tenure as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at NNPC from 2019 to 2023, showcasing her deep understanding of the industry’s strategic landscape.

Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, born in Gombe in 1957 and a Chemical Engineering graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, is nominated to lead NMDPRA. His extensive background includes serving as Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, alongside chairing boards for significant entities like the West African Gas Pipeline Company and Nigeria LNG subsidiaries. Mohammed’s strategic leadership as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power Directorate, saw him play a pivotal role in major gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Masterplan and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline.

The rapid leadership changes underscore the Tinubu administration’s focus on reforming Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector. As the nation navigates complex energy challenges and strives for greater transparency, the new appointments are expected to steer the regulatory bodies through a period of scrutiny and significant policy implementation. The outcome of the ICPC investigation into the allegations against the former NMDPRA boss will also remain a focal point for public interest and accountability.

Read Original

Keywords: Tinubu nominations, Nigerian petroleum regulatory bodies, NMDPRA NUPRC leadership, Aliko Dangote corruption allegations, Farouk Ahmed investigation, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, Petroleum Industry Act Nigeria