Tinubu’s Boys Have Been Eyeing NMDPRA, NUPRC Positions

Sumner Sambo, Director of News at Arise News, has alleged that influential figures within President Bola Tinubu’s administration have long been interested in securing top positions at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC.

Sambo said the recent exit of the heads of both agencies cannot be viewed only through the lens of corruption allegations raised by Dangote Refinery President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, noting that there had been sustained pressure from interests linked to the current government.

His remarks followed the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed as Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe as Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC. Both men were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the agencies established under the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.

According to Sambo, the oil and gas sector is often one of the first areas to attract political interest whenever a new government takes over.

“Well, I wouldn’t say why the President included all of this or why the resignation actually happened the way it’s being put this way, but I think anyone who understands how the petroleum and gas industry works in Nigeria would know that once a new government comes into place, there are always those who come with the new government that would be eyeing such positions,” he said.

He explained that, beyond the current controversies, individuals associated with the Tinubu administration had consistently shown interest in both regulatory agencies.

“Apart from the issues that we have on ground right now, you know that people with the Bola Tinubu administration have always had eyes on those agencies,” Sambo said.

He noted that the pressure often came in the form of expectations and targets placed on the agency heads, adding that failure to meet such demands could trigger leadership changes.

“And so that’s why you saw that they kept giving them some sort of templates to work on, you know, what to deliver. And if they are unable to deliver that, you get into this kind of situation that happened,” he said.

Sambo argued that Komolafe, in particular, had performed creditably in office, pointing out that he received an award earlier the same day. He also highlighted reforms introduced under his leadership, especially efforts to address gaps in Nigeria’s oil production metering system.

“He had also brought in place some metering measures, because Nigeria does not really know how much oil we produce. The metering system is actually porous,” Sambo said, adding that the engagement of a private firm helped strengthen the system.

He stressed that neither Farouk Ahmed nor Komolafe was officially removed from office, emphasising that both were said to have resigned.

“So let’s get it very clear. These people were not sacked. We are told that they resigned, and that’s where the politics lie,” he said.

Sambo questioned what would follow the resignation of Farouk Ahmed in light of the allegations levelled against him, noting that anti-graft agencies had indicated interest in probing the matter.

“Even if he does resign, what happens to him based on the allegations by Aliko Dangote?” he asked.

He added that Komolafe may have become a casualty of the broader political situation surrounding the shake-up.

President Bola Tinubu has since written to the Senate, seeking confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA.