President Bola Tinubu has approved new leadership for Nigeria’s two major petroleum regulatory agencies following the resignation of their previous heads, the Presidency confirmed on Wednesday.
According to a report that was published by Premium Times on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), both stepped down from their positions. The pair were originally appointed in 2021 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The resignations come amid allegations of corruption against Mr. Ahmed by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, owner of Africa’s largest refinery. Dangote publicly accused Mr. Ahmed of economic sabotage, abuse of office, and facilitating the continued import of petroleum despite the expansion of domestic refining capacity.
He also raised concerns about Mr. Ahmed’s personal expenditures, citing millions of dollars spent on the overseas education of his four children, including tuition for a Harvard MBA program. On Tuesday, Dangote submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), requesting a formal investigation and prosecution of Mr. Ahmed.
Mr. Ahmed has denied all allegations, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with any official inquiry to clear his name.
In response to the resignations, President Tinubu has submitted new nominees for Senate confirmation: Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan for the NUPRC and Saidu Mohammed for the NMDPRA. Both appointees are experienced professionals with decades of experience in the oil and gas sector.
The Presidency noted that the new appointments are intended to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure continuity in the petroleum industry, which remains a critical component of Nigeria’s economy. Analysts suggest that the changes could signal a renewed focus on transparency and efficiency within the sector, particularly amid ongoing concerns about local refining and import dependency.
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