Nigeria is set to appoint new heads for its upstream and downstream oil regulators as the sector faces heightened scrutiny over fuel supply and refinery operations, Reuters reported.

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded two nominations to the Senate following the sudden resignations of Gbenga Komolafe, chief of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and Farouk Ahmed, head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

Komolafe and Ahmed stepped down amid ongoing disputes with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who has raised concerns over fuel imports and local refinery prioritization. Dangote has accused Ahmed of allowing cut-price imports that threaten domestic refineries, including his 650,000-barrel-per-day Lagos plant. He also filed a petition with Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

Despite the high-profile dispute, analysts said the leadership changes are unlikely to destabilize the industry. Komolafe’s proposed successor, Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan, is a former NNPC executive with more than 30 years of experience, while Ahmed’s replacement, Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, brings over 37 years in the sector and was recently appointed an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.

The shake-up comes as regulatory uncertainty and supply concerns continue to capture attention in Africa’s top oil-producing economy. Observers note that the new appointments could help maintain continuity, given both nominees’ extensive experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.