Senate confirms appointment of new NMDPRA, NADC CEOs

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Rabiu Umar and Mainasara Illo as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) respectively.

The conformation of appointment of Umar as NMDPRA boss followed the presentation and consideration of a report by the Senate joint committees on Downstream Petroleum Sector and Gas during plenary in Abuja.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector, Abdulrahman Kawu, said the nomination complied with provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Kawu said the nominee possessed the technical competence, experience, and professional knowledge required for the position, adding that no petition was received against his nomination during the screening process.

He said that the joint committees cleared Umar after reviewing his credentials, records, and other relevant documents presented before lawmakers during the confirmation exercise.

The committees subsequently recommended that the Senate confirmed Umar as Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The Senate, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, considered the report and formally confirmed the nomination.

Also, confirmation of Mainasara Illo as NADC chief executive followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Joint Committee on Sports Development and Drugs and Narcotics on the screening of the nominee.

Chairman of the committee, Abdul Ningi, presented the report and moved the motion for its consideration, which was seconded by Sen. Diket Plang.

Presenting the report, Ningi said Nigeria had gained global recognition through the outstanding performances of its athletes in international sports competitions.

He said the establishment of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre was critical to protecting the integrity of Nigerian sports and ensuring compliance with global anti-doping regulations.

According to him, the centre will position Nigeria as a leading anti-doping hub in Africa and among countries with world-class testing and compliance systems.

The committee said that doping-related scandals had previously led to sanctions, athlete disqualifications, medal losses, and reputational damage for Nigeria.

It added that a functional anti-doping centre would help safeguard athletes, preserve Nigeria’s sporting image, and strengthen the country’s overall sports development framework.

The committee, in line with the Nigeria Anti-Doping Act 2025 and constitutional provisions, recommended the confirmation of Illo as Executive Secretary of the centre.

Following deliberations at the Committee of the Whole, the Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the joint committees for their swift work and expressed confidence that the new leadership would strengthen Nigeria’s anti-doping system.
The upper legislative chamber also confirmed the appointment of Francis Asogwah as a commissioner of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC).

Similarly, the Senate confirmed seven nominees as commissioners of the National Population Commission representing different states across the federation.

Those confirmed included Kolawole Alabi from Ekiti, Nasiru Muazu from Zamfara, and Usman Tuga from Bauchi State.

Others confirmed by the Senate were Isiaka Yahaya from Kwara, Sadiq Rada from Katsina, Suleiman Umar from Jigawa, and Chiso Datijo from Sokoto State.(NAN)