Nigeria, April 30 -- Many Nigerians, especially stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, were taken by surprise on Wednesday following the announcement that President Bola Tinubu had approved the removal of Saidu Mohammed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

NMDPRA is the agency responsible for regulating technical, operational and commercial activities in Nigeria's midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.

Mr Mohammed, who has barely spent four months in office, will be replaced by Rabiu Umar, a former executive of the Dangote Group, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Mr Umar previously served as Group Sales and Marketing Director at Dangote Cement Plc ...