Senate confirms Umar as NMDPRA boss, clears Illo, seven NPC commissioners

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Rabiu Umar as the new authority chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Lawmakers also approved the appointment of Mainasara Illo as executive secretary and chief executive officer of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC).

Umar’s confirmation came after the presentation of a report by the Senate joint committees on downstream petroleum sector and gas during plenary.

Read also: Senate approves N2.285trn FCT budget after upward review

Presenting the report, Suleiman Kawu, chairman of the Senate committee on downstream petroleum sector, said the nomination was in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Kawu stated that Umar demonstrated the competence, experience and professional expertise required for the office.

He further noted that no petition was filed against the nominee throughout the screening exercise.

According to him, the joint committees examined Umar’s credentials, service records and other relevant documents before clearing him for confirmation.

The committees thereafter recommended his appointment for Senate approval, which was subsequently adopted after deliberation at the committee of the whole.

The upper chamber also confirmed Illo following the consideration of a report by the joint committee on sports development and drugs and narcotics.

The report was presented by Abdul Ningi, chairman of the committee, while Diket Plang, senator representing Plateau Central, seconded the motion for consideration.

While presenting the report, Ningi said Nigeria had continued to earn international recognition through the achievements of its athletes at global competitions.

He said establishing the anti-doping centre was essential to preserving the credibility of Nigerian sports and ensuring adherence to international anti-doping standards.

Ningi added that the centre would position Nigeria as a major anti-doping hub in Africa and strengthen the country’s testing and compliance systems to global standards.

The committee noted that doping scandals in the past had resulted in sanctions, athlete disqualifications, forfeiture of medals and reputational setbacks for the country.

It added that a fully functional anti-doping centre would protect athletes, safeguard Nigeria’s sporting reputation and reinforce the nation’s sports development structure.

Relying on the provisions of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Act 2025 and relevant constitutional requirements, the committee recommended Illo’s confirmation, which the Senate approved unanimously.

Read also: 2027: Deputy Senate President submits expression of interest, nomination forms

Godswill Akpabio, senate president, commended the committees for what he described as their prompt handling of the screening process and expressed confidence in the appointees.

The Senate also confirmed Francis Asogwah as commissioner of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC).

In the same vein, lawmakers approved seven nominees as commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC) representing various states.

The confirmed nominees are Kolawole Alabi from Ekiti, Nasiru Muazu from Zamfara, Usman Tuga from Bauchi, Isiaka Yahaya from Kwara, Sadiq Rada from Katsina, Suleiman Umar from Jigawa and Chiso Datijo from Sokoto.