The nominee of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the position of Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, has pledged to address inefficiencies in Nigeria’s petroleum supply chain and improve fuel availability across the country.

Speaking during his screening before the Senate, Umar said his focus would be on eliminating operational bottlenecks within the downstream petroleum sector to ensure a more stable and efficient supply system.

He noted that global developments, including geopolitical tensions around key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, continue to affect global energy pricing. However, he stressed that strengthening domestic systems and implementing sustained reforms remain critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s energy security and reducing supply disruptions.

Umar further assured lawmakers of his readiness to support policy measures aimed at improving regulatory effectiveness and enhancing stability in the petroleum sector.