Senate Confirms New Oil Regulators’ Appointments as PANDEF Applauds Reforms, Seeks Niger Delta Inclusion

ABUJA — In a swift exercise of constitutional oversight, the Nigerian Senate on Friday ratified a duo of high-stakes appointments to steer the nation’s primary petroleum regulatory bodies. This administrative reconfiguration has garnered an enthusiastic imprimatur from the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which characterized the transition as a vital catalyst for industrial convalescence, even as the group persists in its advocacy for regional equity and ecological restitution.

The legislative endorsement followed the deliberation of a comprehensive dossier compiled by the joint Senate committees on petroleum. Senator Kawu Sumaila, presiding as committee chair, facilitated the presentation during a plenary session steered by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau.

The upper chamber formally confirmed Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Concurrently, Mr. Saidu Mohammed was installed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This strategic reshuffle effectively terminates a period of administrative flux following the abrupt departure of their predecessors.

Sumaila articulated that the confirmation process adhered strictly to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. He emphasized that the joint committee undertook a “rigorous and transparent” interrogation of the candidates, scrutinizing their pedagogical backgrounds and technical proficiency.

“The committee, having verified the nominees’ specialized expertise and their nuanced understanding of the statutory mandates, recommends their immediate confirmation,” Sumaila stated, prior to a unanimous voice vote.

This leadership metamorphosis arrives amidst a tempestuous climate for Nigeria’s energy landscape. The preceding administration was embroiled in a high-profile confrontation with industrialist Aliko Dangote, who alleged that regulatory lethargy and the influx of sub-standard fuel imports jeopardized the viability of his $20 billion refinery.

While the exit of the former chiefs was shadowed by litigation and petitions to anti-graft agencies, the Senate’s prompt action seeks to restore institutional equilibrium. Senator Barau lauded the committee for its “exceptional diligence,” noting they completed in twenty-four hours an evaluative task that traditionally spans a fortnight.

While applauding the elevation of Eyesan—a seasoned economist and former NNPC executive—as a triumph of meritocracy, PANDEF leveraged the moment to underscore the enduring grievances of the Niger Delta. The forum maintains that the region’s professionals remain underrepresented within the echelons of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Furthermore, the socio-political body urged the Federal Government to transcend the localized scope of the Ogoni clean-up. They demand a holistic, budget-backed environmental remediation strategy to mitigate decades of petrogenic degradation. The group also revisited the 2018 pledge regarding the Modular Refinery Development Fund, arguing that localized refining is the linchpin for communal stability and economic decentralization.

Industry analysts suggest that the seasoned profiles of Eyesan and Mohammed—boasting over six decades of combined experience—may provide the technocratic ballast required to navigate the current volatility. Despite the recent upheaval, the prevailing sentiment in the capital suggests that this “leadership reset” is a calculated maneuver to harmonize regulatory policy with the ambitious growth targets of the Tinubu administration.