Concerned experts in Nigeria’s petroleum industry are urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rectify the recent appointment of Aminu Said Ahmed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Board, citing non-compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The experts argue that Ahmed’s appointment as the Ministry’s representative on the board contravenes Section 59(2)(d) of the PIA 2021, which requires a representative from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR) to hold a director-level position or higher.
As a Senior Manager from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed’s appointment is deemed inconsistent with the Act.
Institutional parity is a major issue, as the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) is represented on the board by its Permanent Secretary, aligning with PIA requirements.
The experts emphasize that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) is an independent regulatory agency, distinct from the Ministry, and therefore its staff cannot represent the MPR on the board.
The experts also criticize the practice of assigning non-Ministry officials to lead delegations to international petroleum organizations like OPEC, citing concerns over institutional memory and reputational risks.
They urge President Tinubu to maintain parity by appointing a Permanent Secretary from the MPR to the board, ensuring statutory compliance and upholding the integrity of the PIA 2021.
Comment here