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President Bola Tinubu has removed Saidu Mohammed as head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
He has nominated Rabiu Abdullahi Umar to replace him, but the appointment still requires Senate approval.
This was disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, and shared on X on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
The Presidency said the decision was taken in the public interest and in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to improve regulation of the sector.
Umar has over 25 years of experience in energy, manufacturing and infrastructure. He studied Accounting at Bayero University and also attended Harvard Business School.
Part of the statement reads: “This decision, 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.”
“Mr Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors and a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.”
“He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School,” it added.
Until the Senate confirms the new nominee, the most senior official at the agency will act as head.
President Tinubu thanked the outgoing chief executive for his service and wished him well.
He also said his administration remains focused on strengthening leadership in key institutions to support energy security and economic growth.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A statement by Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the President also nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.
“Until his nomination, Ambassador Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
“Enikanolaiye is a distinguished diplomat and seasoned public servant with over three decades of exemplary service in Nigeria’s foreign service. He has previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held key diplomatic postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.
“The President noted that these appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships.
“President Tinubu congratulates the appointees and urges them to work diligently to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, foster regional stability, and safeguard the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad,” he said.
The Labour Party, LP, has elected Nenadi Usman as its National Chairman at the party’s national convention held on Tuesday in Umuahia, Abia State.
With her emergence, Usman makes history as the first woman to be elected National Chairman of a political party in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that on Wednesday, 4th September 2024, Usman was appointed to lead the National Caretaker Committee of the party at a NEC meeting in Umuahia, following a leadership vacuum created by the expiration of the tenure of the former National Working Committee.
She successfully steered the party through a turbulent period marked by leadership disputes, which were ultimately resolved in her favour by the appellate court.
A former Minister of Finance and senator, Usman brings a wealth of experience and proven capacity to her new role.
As the 2027 general elections approach, she bears the immediate responsibility of positioning the party for electoral success.
Following its strong showing in the 2023 general elections, the Labour Party has firmly established itself as a formidable political platform, a foundation Usman is poised to consolidate upon.
Prior to the convention, Usman had been recognised as the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, following a Federal High Court judgement delivered on 21st January 2026 affirming her leadership.
This decision was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgement delivered on Tuesday, 21st April 2026.
