President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed new board members for Nigeria’s key oil and gas regulatory agencies, forwarding their names to the Senate for screening and confirmation in line with statutory requirements.
Eko Hot News reports that the President nominated former Rivers South-East Senator, Magnus Abe, as Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), alongside other nominees to strengthen governance and oversight in the upstream petroleum sector.
In separate correspondence to the Senate, President Bola Tinubu requested legislative consideration for board appointments to both the NUPRC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act.
The nominees include a mix of experienced professionals drawn from public service, the energy sector, and private industry, reflecting the administration’s commitment to institutional competence and regulatory efficiency.
For the NUPRC, the President also nominated non-executive and executive commissioners with backgrounds in petroleum regulation, labour relations, and technical operations, aimed at reinforcing transparency and operational effectiveness.
Similarly, appointments were made to the NMDPRA board, with Adegbite Adeniji nominated as Chairman. Adeniji is a legal practitioner with extensive experience in energy policy, governance, and natural resources management.
Other nominees to the NMDPRA board include former public office holders and sector experts expected to provide strategic guidance for Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum activities.
The appointments follow the recent confirmation of chief executive officers for both regulatory bodies, a move seen as part of broader reforms to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for sustainability and growth.
President Tinubu urged the nominees, if confirmed, to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity, and commitment to national development objectives.
Analysts say the reconstitution of the boards is critical to ensuring effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and improving investor confidence in the energy sector.
The Senate is expected to commence screening of the nominees in the coming weeks, after which successful candidates will formally assume office.
