By Kingsley Adegboye

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.

The engineering body described the appointment as timely and well-considered, saying it reflects the President’s commitment to competence and professionalism in Nigeria’s energy sector.

In a statement by the NSE President, Engr. Alimasuya Rabiu, the engineering body said the President had once again demonstrated the principle of placing the right expertise in the right position, noting that Engr. Mohammed’s emergence is a boost for regulation and growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

He expressed confidence that his vast experience and steady leadership would strengthen the regulatory framework and enhance Nigeria’s standing in the global energy space.

The NSE President particularly praised Engr. Mohammed’s pedigree as a seasoned engineer and technocrat whose career spans nearly four decades at the highest levels of the gas and energy industry.

He noted that his depth of knowledge in gas development, infrastructure and policy places him in a unique position to drive efficiency, innovation and sustainable growth in the midstream and downstream segments of the sector.

Engr. Mohammed is widely respected for his role in shaping Nigeria’s gas architecture, having provided strategic leadership for landmark initiatives such as the Gas Masterplan, the Gas Network Code and key inputs into the Petroleum Industry Act during his tenure as Group Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, at the NNPC.

He was also instrumental in the delivery of major national projects including the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline and the Nigeria LNG Train 7 project, while representing Nigeria in important international energy forums.

Beyond policy and infrastructure, his leadership experience cuts across critical institutions, having served as Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company, as well as chairing boards of strategic energy entities within and outside the NNPC system.

A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a registered engineer with COREN, Engr. Mohammed brings a rare blend of technical depth, regulatory insight and global exposure.

Engr. Rabiu said it expects his tenure at the NMDPRA to usher in greater regulatory stability, investor confidence and operational excellence, while reaffirming its belief that President Tinubu’s choice will translate into measurable gains for the petroleum sector and the Nigerian economy at large. Strategic Masterstroke: NSE Applauds Appointment of Energy Titan Saidu Mohammed to Lead NMDPRA

In a resounding endorsement of merit-based governance, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA).

In a statement issued by the President of the society, Engr. Alimasuya Rabiu FAENg, FNSE, MFR, the professional body characterized the move as a definitive “round peg in a round hole” moment for Nigeria’s energy sector, signaling a departure from political expediency in favor of deep-rooted technical expertise.

By selecting a veteran with a career spanning nearly four decades, he said, President Tinubu has effectively placed the nation’s midstream and downstream future in the hands of one of its most accomplished architects.

The NSE’s enthusiasm stems from Engr. Mohammed’s peerless track record as a seasoned technocrat who has consistently operated at the intersection of complex engineering and high-level strategy.

A Fellow of both the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, his ascent to the helm of NMDPRA is viewed as a victory for professional excellence.

According to Engr. Rabiu, his tenure at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as Group Executive Director of Gas and Power was marked by a transformative vision that saw the conceptualization and delivery of Nigeria’s most critical energy arteries, including the AKK Gas Pipeline and the NLNG Train 7 project.

Beyond his domestic achievements, Engr. Mohammed’s influence has long resonated on the international stage, where he represented Nigeria’s interests at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and the West African Gas Pipeline Authority.

This global perspective, combined with his prior leadership of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company, equips him with a unique 360-degree view of the value chain.

As Nigeria seeks to optimize its gas masterplan and navigate the complexities of the Petroleum Industry Act, the NSE President maintains that Engr. Mohammed’s appointment is not merely a personnel change, but a strategic upgrade that promises to elevate the country’s oil and gas industry to unprecedented heights.