President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Saidu Mohammed, barely four months after his appointment, amid a deepening aviation fuel pricing crisis and regulatory controversy in Nigeria’s oil sector.
The decision, announced on Wednesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, comes as airlines threaten to suspend operations over soaring Jet A1 prices and industry tensions escalate over fuel import licensing.
The shake-up comes against the backdrop of a brewing crisis in the aviation industry, where the Airline Operators of Nigeria has warned of a potential shutdown over the rising cost of aviation fuel.
According to the presidency, Mr Mohammed has been replaced by Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, whose appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed… in the public interest,” Onanuga said, adding that the move aligns with efforts to strengthen regulatory effectiveness under the government’s reform agenda.
Pending confirmation, the most senior official in the agency will oversee operations in an acting capacity.
In a letter, AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina said the price of Jet A1 surged from about N900 per litre in February 2026 to as high as N3,300 per litre, an increase of over 300 per cent.
Operators described the hike as “astronomical and artificial,” arguing it far exceeds global crude oil price trends.
However, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria disputed the figures, urging airlines to explore alternative suppliers.
Mr Mohammed’s removal also follows mounting friction between the regulator and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, owned by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote.
Dangote had accused the agency of issuing fuel import licences to multiple firms despite claims that no such approvals had been granted in 2026, a contradiction that raised questions about transparency in the downstream sector.
The dispute added to broader concerns about market stability and regulatory credibility.
The presidency said the decision was taken in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to improve oversight and efficiency in the midstream and downstream petroleum segments.
Rabiu Umar, the incoming nominee, is described as a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience across energy and manufacturing, including roles at Dangote Cement and Oando Plc.
The leadership change comes as the Federal Government grapples with stabilising fuel supply and pricing, particularly in the aviation sector where cost volatility threatens operations.
Recent projections by the regulator had placed Jet A1 prices between N1,760 and N2,037 per litre in major cities, a sharp contrast to figures cited by airline operators.
With tensions still unresolved, the shake-up signals mounting pressure on authorities to restore confidence and prevent a potential disruption in air travel.
