Oshiomhole Hails Exit of NMDPRA Boss, Says Resignations Are Vital to Nigeria’s Economic Survival

|By Adejumo Adekunle

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday welcomed the resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), describing the development as critical to Nigeria’s economic survival.

Oshiomhole spoke during the Senate screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the positions of Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the NMDPRA.

The senator accused the outgoing regulatory leadership of policies he said undermined local job creation and encouraged import dependence. In a strongly worded intervention, Oshiomhole used extreme language to express his frustration, arguing that officials who oppose domestic production and jobs were damaging the country’s prosperity.

He further said Ahmed’s exit marked a turning point for the petroleum sector, adding that he was pleased with the decision and eager to see how issues surrounding the former NMDPRA chief’s tenure would be addressed.

Ahmed resigned about 24 hours earlier amid controversy over regulatory decisions taken under his leadership. His resignation, alongside changes within Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory agencies, comes as the Tinubu administration pushes reforms aimed at boosting local capacity, attracting investment, and stabilising the energy sector.