NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed Resigns After Meeting With Tinubu

Engineer Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has resigned from his position following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The resignation was confirmed on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. This development comes amid heightened scrutiny over alleged misconduct and public controversy surrounding his leadership at the regulatory agency.

Ahmed’s resignation follows a high-profile dispute with industrialist Aliko Dangote, who publicly accused the NMDPRA boss of corruption and economic sabotage. Dangote claimed in a paid newspaper advertisement that Ahmed spent millions of dollars on his children’s education abroad while holding public office and later submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) seeking an investigation. Shortly after these allegations surfaced, President Tinubu summoned Ahmed, leading to his decision to step aside.

The resignation of Ahmed coincided with the departure of Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), who also stepped down. President Tinubu has forwarded the names of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as the new CEO for the NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as the nominee for NMDPRA to the Senate for expedited confirmation. Both nominees are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, signalling a leadership transition across key regulatory bodies.

What do you think this leadership change means for the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and investor confidence? Comment below and share your thoughts.

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