Senate has confirmed Rabiu Umar as the new Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Umar was screened by the senate, last Tuesday, May 5 following his nomination for the post by President Bola Tinubu, on April 29, this year.

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In confirming Umar, the lawmakers hailed him for his professionalism, depth of industry knowledge, and strategic vision for Nigeria’s petroleum sector, just as the new NMDPRA boss had pledged in his presentation to strengthen national energy security, eliminate supply bottlenecks, and ensure stable fuel availability nationwide.

President Tinubu had nominated Umar as part of efforts to reinforce regulatory effectiveness and accelerate reforms within the petroleum sector under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

During the screening, Umar outlined an agenda centred on supply resilience, regulatory efficiency, investor confidence, and nationwide product accessibility, while stressing that global disruptions such as tensions around strategic shipping corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, would continue to influence fuel prices worldwide.

Umar had also used the platform of his senate screening to list his priorities, if confirmed, to include, among others, strengthening the operational readiness of Nigeria’s 22 depots, ensuring adequate stock buffers across the federation, and working closely with relevant agencies and industry stakeholders to guarantee product availability in every region of the country.

This is also he explained that one of his immediate priorities would be to strengthen the operational readiness of Nigeria’s 22 depots, ensure adequate stock buffers across the federation, and work closely with relevant agencies and industry stakeholders to guarantee product availability in every region of the country.

“Global events may affect prices, but they should not define Nigeria’s stability. Our task is to build a petroleum system strong enough to absorb shocks, protect supply, and keep homes, industries, and transport moving in every season.

“Energy security is not measured only by volumes in storage. It is measured by whether fuel is available when Nigerians need it, where Nigerians need it. We will build a supply architecture that is visible, reliable, and national in reach.

“The NMDPRA under my leadership will be firm in regulation, fair in conduct, and fast in execution. We will protect standards, unlock investment, remove avoidable bottlenecks, and make this Authority a model of professionalism and economic value creation,” Umar said.

The new boss further unveiled a reform vision for the agency, as he promised to reposition it as both an efficient regulator and a catalyst for investment, growth, and market confidence by removing unnecessary administrative barriers and improving service delivery.

“The NMDPRA under my leadership will be firm in regulation, fair in conduct, and fast in execution. We will protect standards, unlock investment, remove avoidable bottlenecks, and make this Authority a model of professionalism and economic value creation,” he added.

Umar comes onboard with over a two-decade experience from the private sector of the downstream energy industry, manufacturing, logistics, spanning years with Oando Plc, Ashaka Cement Plc, and most recently 8 months ago when left as the Group Chief Commercial Officer at the Dangote Group.

Already his confirmation has received the support of stakeholder associations in the country, including the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, as well as, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).