President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a list of nominees for the board of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, to the Senate, urging lawmakers to approve the appointments without delay. The request comes as the federal government moves to stabilise leadership across the country’s key oil and gas regulatory institutions.

According to official communications to the National Assembly, Tinubu charged the nominees to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and independence, stressing the strategic importance of effective regulation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The president also appealed to the Senate to treat the request expeditiously, citing the need for continuity following recent confirmations at the top of the regulatory agencies.

Composition of the proposed NMDPRA board

The nominees for the NMDPRA board include Mr. Yahaya Yinusa as Executive Director, Distribution Systems; Adeyemi Aminu as Executive Director, Corporate Services; and Ms. Modie Ogechukwu as Executive Director, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning. Olawale Dawodu was nominated as Board Secretary and Legal Adviser.

According to records from the oil and gas industry, Dawodu is an experienced sector professional who previously served as a Financial Reporting Manager within Exxon’s Nigerian subsidiaries. His nomination is seen as an attempt to strengthen the board’s technical and compliance capacity at a time when the downstream sector faces heightened scrutiny.

The board list also reflects a blend of regulatory, corporate, and industry experience, a structure analysts say is intended to support the authority’s expanding mandate under the Petroleum Industry Act.

Background on earlier appointments

Some members of the NMDPRA leadership structure predate the Tinubu administration. Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Lamorde and Adeniji to the board in 2021, while Ogaree was appointed in 2022, according to official government records. These appointments were made during the early implementation phase of the Petroleum Industry Act, when Nigeria dismantled the former Department of Petroleum Resources and replaced it with new regulatory bodies.

The continuation of some board members alongside new nominees suggests an effort to balance institutional memory with fresh leadership, a challenge that has followed many post Petroleum Industry Act reforms.

Senate confirmations and regulatory alignment

The president’s request to the Senate follows the recent confirmation of chief executive officers for Nigeria’s two major oil regulators. The Senate has confirmed Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, and Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA.

According to Senate proceedings, the confirmations were aimed at providing clear leadership for the upstream and downstream regulatory bodies after months of acting appointments and transitions. With CEOs now in place, the approval of full boards is viewed as the next step in consolidating governance structures.

Meanwhile, lawmakers familiar with the process say the Senate is under pressure to complete screening promptly, given the sector’s importance to government revenue and investor confidence.

Why the development matters now

Nigeria remains heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues, even as the government pursues diversification. Regulatory clarity and stability are critical at a time when the downstream sector is adjusting to subsidy removal, pricing reforms, and increased private sector participation.

According to energy policy analysts, a fully constituted NMDPRA board is essential for enforcing standards, resolving disputes, and guiding policy implementation across refining, transportation, storage, and distribution segments.

The authority plays a central role in licensing, monitoring compliance, and ensuring that reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act translate into operational efficiency. Delays in board approvals can slow decision making and weaken oversight, especially as private refineries and new distribution projects come on stream.

Expert and stakeholder perspectives

Energy governance analysts say Tinubu’s emphasis on professionalism reflects lessons from past regulatory challenges. According to a Lagos based oil and gas consultant, who requested anonymity due to ongoing advisory work with industry players, the effectiveness of the new regulatory framework depends less on legislation and more on the credibility of those enforcing it.

“The Petroleum Industry Act created institutions, but institutions are only as strong as the people running them,” the analyst said. “Board members with sector knowledge and regulatory discipline can help reduce uncertainty for investors and operators.”

Industry stakeholders also note that appointing individuals with both public sector and multinational oil company experience could help bridge gaps between regulation and commercial realities.

Implications for the oil and gas sector

If confirmed, the new board is expected to oversee critical decisions affecting fuel distribution networks, pricing oversight, and compliance enforcement. This comes amid ongoing debates over fuel supply stability, infrastructure deficits, and the role of private capital in downstream operations.

The board’s approach to regulation will likely shape how quickly Nigeria adapts to post subsidy realities and how effectively it manages consumer protection alongside market liberalisation.

Observers will also be watching how the NMDPRA collaborates with the NUPRC, especially on issues that cut across upstream production and downstream supply, such as crude allocation to local refineries.

Attention now shifts to the Senate, where committees are expected to screen the nominees and report back to the full chamber. The speed and tone of the confirmation process may signal legislative priorities for the oil and gas sector in the coming months.

Beyond confirmation, stakeholders will be watching early policy decisions and enforcement actions from the newly constituted board to assess whether regulatory reforms translate into measurable improvements.

Suggested visuals and data elements

Editors may consider including a chart showing the structure of Nigeria’s oil and gas regulators under the Petroleum Industry Act, a timeline of key appointments from 2021 to 2026, or profile cards highlighting the professional backgrounds of the board nominees.

Tinubu’s nomination of new NMDPRA board members marks another step in reshaping Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory landscape. With chief executives already confirmed, the focus now rests on Senate approval and the ability of the board to provide credible oversight. As the sector navigates reform driven changes, the effectiveness of these appointments could have lasting implications for energy governance and economic stability.