The Senate has confirmed Saidu Mohammed and Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as chief executive officers of Nigeria’s two main petroleum regulatory agencies, strengthening leadership in the country’s oil and gas sector. The confirmations followed a screening exercise conducted by a joint Senate committee and approval at plenary.
Eyesan was confirmed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), while Mohammed was approved as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Both appointments were forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.
The confirmations came after the Senate considered and adopted a report submitted by the Joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas). The committee conducted the screening and assessment of the nominees after the request was formally referred to it during plenary on December 18.
Presenting the report, committee chairman Kawu Sumaila said the panel examined the nominees’ credentials, experience and understanding of the petroleum sector. He explained that the committee also engaged both nominees in interactive sessions, allowing lawmakers to assess their competence and responses to key regulatory and industry-related questions.
Sumaila noted that the Petroleum Industry Act provides the legal framework for the appointments. Sections 2 and 29 of the Act establish the NUPRC and NMDPRA, while Sections 11(3) and 34(3) empower the President to appoint their chief executives, subject to Senate confirmation, for renewable five-year terms.
According to him, the committee was satisfied that both nominees met all statutory and professional requirements. He therefore urged the Senate to approve their confirmation, describing them as qualified to lead the agencies at a critical period for Nigeria’s energy reforms.
The Senate subsequently dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to deliberate on the report. Following a voice vote, lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations and approved the appointments without opposition.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, congratulated Mohammed and Eyesan on their confirmation. He urged them to approach their new roles as a call to national service and to prioritise Nigeria’s interests in the discharge of their duties.
“You have been called to serve our nation. We expect you to discharge your duties diligently in a manner that will promote the interests of Nigeria and strengthen the petroleum sector,” Barau said.
He also commended the joint committee for conducting what he described as a thorough and timely screening exercise, noting that its work would help improve regulatory efficiency, accountability and oversight across the oil and gas industry.
The confirmations are expected to provide stability and continuity in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s energy sector.
