Senate Confirms Mohammed, Eyesan As NMDPRA, NUPRC CEOs

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Saidu Mohammed and Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as chief executives of Nigeria’s key petroleum regulatory agencies.

Specifically, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan was confirmed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), while the Senate okayed Saidu Mohammed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The confirmations followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Joint Committees on Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas), which conducted the screening of the nominees.

The Senate acted on a request transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, seeking legislative approval for the appointments in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and Lead Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Suleiman Kawu, explained that the nominations were referred to the relevant committees following plenary on December 18, 2025.

Kawu noted that Sections 2 and 29 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 established the NUPRC and NMDPRA respectively, while Sections 11(3) and 34(3) of the Act empowered the President to appoint their chief executives, subject to Senate confirmation, for a renewable five-year term.

According to Senator Kawu, the joint committee conducted an extensive screening exercise, which included interactive sessions with the nominees to assess their qualifications, professional competence and responses to questions from lawmakers.

“The joint committee, having screened the nominees and being satisfied with their qualifications, expertise and responses to the questions asked, hereby recommends that the Senate confirm their nominations,” he said.

The Senate subsequently resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report. Following voice votes, lawmakers unanimously approved the confirmation of both nominees and adopted the committee’s recommendations at plenary.

Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin commended the joint committee for what he described as a thorough and timely screening exercise despite the limited time available.

He congratulated the confirmed chief executives and urged them to view their appointments as a call to national service.

“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,” he said.

The Senate also expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the joint committee, noting that their work would enhance regulatory efficiency and oversight in the country’s oil and gas industry.