Tinubu overhauls energy regulators as NUPRC, NMDPRA CEOs step aside
Her appointment also marks a significant milestone for gender representation in Nigeria’s male-dominated petroleum sector, where women rarely occupy top regulatory positions.
Mohammed’s credentials
Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe State, graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
His career spans several leadership roles in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream sectors, including stints as managing director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company.He played a pivotal role in delivering critical infrastructure projects including the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train projects. Most recently, Mohammed was announced as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy, one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil producers.
Mohammed’s infrastructure expertise arrives as Nigeria grapples with chronic pipeline vandalism and inadequate storage facilities that have hampered petroleum distribution. His mandate will likely include accelerating repairs to the country’s neglected network of refineries and product pipelines while regulating the influx of private sector players, particularly Dangote’s 650,000 barrel-per-day facility.
The NMDPRA oversees Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including refineries, depots, retail stations, and product pricing.
Mohammed inherits an agency that has faced intense scrutiny over its licensing policies and alleged favoritism toward importers.
Both departing officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari following passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), a landmark legislation that restructured Nigeria’s oil and gas sector after years of delays.
Their simultaneous exit less than four years into their tenure suggests Tinubu’s determination to put his own stamp on energy policy.
The Senate now faces pressure to expedite confirmation hearings for both nominees
Energy sector sources expect smooth approval given the strategic importance of the agencies and the credentials of both candidates.
Nigeria’s oil sector has underperformed for years, with production hovering around 1.4 million barrels daily compared to a 2.5-million-barrel capacity. Theft, aging infrastructure, and an unfavorable investment climate have discouraged major international oil companies from increasing Nigerian exposure.
The PIA promised to reverse this decline through fiscal reforms and clearer regulations. However, implementation has proceeded slowly, frustrating investors who had hoped for quick improvements.
