KEY POINTS
- The Senate has confirmed Rabiu Umar as the new Chief Executive of the NMDPRA.
- Umar pledged to strengthen energy security, improve fuel supply, and eliminate distribution bottlenecks nationwide.
- Petroleum industry stakeholders welcomed the appointment, citing Umar’s extensive experience in the oil and gas sector.
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Rabiu Umar as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The confirmation followed the presentation and adoption of a report by the Senate joint committees on the Downstream Petroleum Sector and Gas during plenary on Thursday.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector, Abdulrahman Kawu, said Umar demonstrated the competence, experience, and professional expertise required for the position.
He added that no petition was submitted against the nominee during the screening process.
According to Kawu, lawmakers thoroughly reviewed Umar’s credentials, professional records, and other relevant documents before approving his appointment.
During his screening before the Senate, Umar pledged to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security and ensure stable fuel availability across the country.
He said his administration would focus on eliminating supply bottlenecks and building a stronger petroleum distribution system capable of withstanding global market disruptions.
“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,” Umar stated.
He also disclosed that one of his immediate priorities would be improving the operational efficiency of Nigeria’s 22 petroleum depots and maintaining sufficient fuel reserves nationwide.
According to him, the NMDPRA under his leadership would focus on professionalism, investment growth, efficient regulation, and the removal of unnecessary operational bottlenecks in the sector.
Industry Stakeholders Welcome Appointment
Rabiu Umar has over 20 years of experience in the downstream petroleum sector, logistics, manufacturing, and large-scale industrial operations.
He previously held senior leadership positions at Oando Plc, worked at Ashaka Cement Plc, and served for six years as Group Chief Commercial Officer at Dangote Group before leaving the company eight months ago.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed his appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to address challenges in the petroleum sector.
National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi, described the appointment as well deserved, noting that Umar’s experience would benefit independent marketers and the wider sector.
Similarly, the National President of the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Billy Harry, said Umar’s leadership would strengthen the industry and improve operations across the petroleum value chain.
