The Senate, on Friday, confirmed the appointment of Saidu Mohammed and Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as chief executive officers of Nigeria’s key petroleum regulatory agencies.
Eyesan was confirmed as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Mohammed as the CEO of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, nominated the duo to replace Gbenga Komolafe and Farouk Ahmed, who resigned from the positions.
Ahmed, in particular, was in the centre of corrupt allegations by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.
The Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee, Senator Kawu Sumaila who presented the report, explained that the nominations were referred to the relevant committees following plenary on December 18.
He noted that Sections 2 and 29 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 establish NUPRC and NMDPRA respectively, while Sections 11(3) and 34(3) of the Act empower the President to appoint their chief executives, subject to senate confirmation, for a renewable five-year term.
Sumaila said 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 confirms their nominations,” he stated.
The Senate consequently dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Following voice votes, the lawmakers unanimously approved the confirmation of both nominees and adopted the committee’s recommendations at plenary.
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, commended the joint committee for what he described as a thorough and timely exercise in spite of the limited time available
Barau congratulated the confirmed chief executives and urged them to see 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 stated.
Barau thanked 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.