Senate okays Rabiu Umar as NMDPRA boss, vows stable fuel supply
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Rabiu Umar as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), with the new regulator pledging sweeping reforms to strengthen
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Rabiu Umar as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), with the new regulator pledging sweeping reforms to strengthen energy security, eliminate supply bottlenecks, and guarantee stable fuel availability nationwide.
Umar was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday following his screening, during which lawmakers reportedly commended his professionalism, industry experience and strategic understanding of the petroleum sector.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Umar for the position on April 29 as part of ongoing efforts to deepen reforms in the oil and gas sector under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Speaking during the screening, Umar unveiled an agenda focused on supply resilience, regulatory efficiency, investor confidence and nationwide product accessibility.
He warned that global developments, including tensions around strategic shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, would continue to exert pressure on international fuel prices, but insisted Nigeria must build internal capacity to withstand external shocks.
“Global events may affect prices, but they should not define Nigeria’s stability. Our task is to build a petroleum system strong enough to absorb shocks, protect supply, and keep homes, industries, and transport moving in every season,” he said.
The new NMDPRA boss said one of his immediate priorities would be strengthening the operational readiness of Nigeria’s 22 petroleum depots and ensuring adequate stock buffers across the country.
According to him, the authority would work closely with relevant agencies and industry stakeholders to guarantee seamless fuel distribution in all parts of the federation.
“Energy security is not measured only by volumes in storage. It is measured by whether fuel is available when and where Nigerians need it. We will build a supply architecture that is visible, reliable, and national in reach,” Umar stated.
Umar brings over two decades of experience spanning downstream petroleum operations, logistics, manufacturing and large-scale industrial management.
He previously held senior leadership positions at Oando Plc, led a turnaround initiative at Ashaka Cement Plc and served for six years as Group Chief Commercial Officer at Dangote Group before exiting the company about eight months ago.
Stakeholders across the petroleum industry had strongly backed his nomination ahead of Senate confirmation.
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National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, described the appointment as “well deserved,” expressing optimism that Umar’s experience would help tackle longstanding challenges in the sector and support independent marketers.
Similarly, National President of the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr Billy Harry, said the appointment was “a step in the right direction,” adding that Umar’s leadership would strengthen the downstream value chain.
Stakeholders within the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) also welcomed the nomination, describing it as a positive signal for stability, professionalism and continuity of reforms in the industry.
Umar also pledged to reposition the NMDPRA as both an efficient regulator and a catalyst for investment and growth by removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving service delivery.
“The NMDPRA under my leadership will be firm in regulation, fair in conduct, and fast in execution. We will protect standards, unlock investment, remove avoidable bottlenecks, and make this Authority a model of professionalism and economic value creation,” he said.
Industry observers said Umar’s presentation before the Senate reflected a practical understanding of the link between effective regulation, energy security and market stability at a critical period for Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
His confirmation is expected to usher in a new phase for the authority, with domestic refining expansion, supply-chain optimisation, stronger regulatory credibility and deeper private-sector participation emerging as key priorities.
