Oshiomhole, Other Lawmakers Grill New NMDPRA CEO, Ask Two Key Questions in Viral Video
- Senator Adams Oshiomhole has pressed the new leadership of the NMDPRA on policy direction
- He argued that protecting local industries was vital for job creation and economic stability in Nigeria
- Oshiomhole criticised former NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed’s policies as “shameful” and demanded a different approach from his successor
Senator Adams Oshiomhole raised concerns about the future policy direction of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as he addressed the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer.
Speaking during a session, Oshiomhole stressed that the issue was not about qualifications but about the choices that would shape Nigeria’s industrial and employment landscape.
Source: Twitter
He stated:
“You are all qualified. Both the new CEO of NMDPRA and NUPRC. The issue for me is not qualification but your policy choices. Everywhere in the world, the nation takes deliberate effort to protect local industries. Not because we like the owners of those industries but because we want to create jobs for Nigerian people. Those jobs will not be created on whims but can only be done through support for manufacturers.”
Jobs and local industry protection at the centre of debate
The senator emphasised that protecting local industries was a deliberate policy choice made by governments worldwide to secure employment opportunities for their citizens. He argued that Nigeria must follow the same path to ensure sustainable job creation.
Oshiomhole criticised the former NMDPRA CEO, Farouk Ahmed, describing his performance and policies as “shameful.” He added that he had celebrated Ahmed’s removal, insisting that anyone opposed to job creation in Nigeria was “an enemy of the country.”
Source: Twitter
Direct question to new NMDPRA CEO
Turning directly to the new NMDPRA chief, Oshiomhole asked whether the authority would pursue a different approach or continue along the path of its predecessor.
He said:
“Your predecessor that was removed and I celebrated it last night, he needed to be dealt with. Because anyone who is opposed to jobs being created in Nigeria is an enemy of the country. Now I ask you (referring to the new CEO of NMDPRA), in view of the very shameful performance and policy of your predecessor (Farouk Ahmed), will you do things differently or toe the path of your predecessor?”
The senator’s remarks highlighted the growing pressure on regulatory bodies to align energy policies with industrial growth and employment priorities. His intervention placed the spotlight on whether the new leadership of NMDPRA would adopt measures to support manufacturers and strengthen Nigeria’s local industries.
Speaking with Legit.ng, AbdulRasheed Hussain, a policy analyst based in Nigeria, said Oshiomhole’s remarks depicts regulatory challenges and economic priorities in Nigeria:
“Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s remarks highlight the urgent need for policy reform in Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory sector. His criticism of former NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed as “shameful” shows frustration with policies that failed to protect local industries or stimulate job creation. By pressing the new leadership to prioritize manufacturers and employment, Oshiomhole draws attention to the broader economic stakes tied to regulatory choices.”
See the video below:
Saidu Aliyu: What to know about NMDPRA CEO
Legit.ng earlier reported that after Farouk Ahmed’s resignation which came following Dangote’s disclosure of detailed information regarding his offshore payments, President Tinubu has appointed Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as the new CEO of NMDPRA.
According to Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed was born on the 17th July, 1957 in Gombe. He also attended the North-East College of Arts and Science (NECAS) in Maiduguri and Government Secondary School in Gombe.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
