Sumner Sambo, Director of News at Arise News, has alleged that certain figures within President Bola Tinubu’s administration have long been positioning themselves for top roles at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
According to Sambo, beyond the recent corruption allegations raised by Dangote Refinery President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, there had been sustained pressure from interests linked to the current administration on the leadership of both regulatory agencies.
His comments 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 created under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Sambo said that changes in government often come with renewed interest in strategic and influential positions, particularly within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“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 added that individuals aligned with the Tinubu administration had consistently shown interest in the agencies, creating pressure on their leadership.
“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 explained that the agency heads were frequently given targets and expectations, noting that failure to meet such expectations could lead to situations like the recent resignations.
Sambo further stated that Komolafe, in particular, had performed strongly in office, even receiving an award earlier the same day. He highlighted reforms introduced under Komolafe’s leadership, including efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s oil metering system, which he described as previously weak and unreliable.
“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,” he said, adding that private sector involvement had helped improve the system.
Sambo stressed that the officials were not formally dismissed but resigned, suggesting political undertones behind the development.
“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.
He questioned what would become of the allegations against Farouk Ahmed, noting that even with his resignation, investigations by anti-graft agencies were expected to continue.
“Even if he does resign, what happens to him based on the allegations by Aliko Dangote?” Sambo asked, adding that it remains unclear whether the resignations were voluntary or prompted.
He suggested that Komolafe may have been caught in the middle of the controversy.
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, forwarded a letter 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.
