The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has applauded President Bola Tinubu for his decision to readjust the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, describing the move as critical to strengthening regulation in the oil and gas sector.

The IPMAN National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, stated this on Thursday in Abuja while reacting to recent developments in the oil and gas sector, including the growing partnership between the association and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Nigeria’s petroleum sector was thrown into fresh uncertainty, following the resignation of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, and his counterpart at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, amid the deepening controversy triggered by allegations and a petition filed by the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

The Presidency announced the resignations of the two regulators on Wednesday, a development widely seen as fallout from the escalating dispute between the Dangote refinery and the NMDPRA over fuel importation, pricing, and regulatory oversight in the downstream sector.

Reacting, the IPMAN president said the leadership reset has helped restore confidence and clarity in the oil and gas sector.

He said, “The focus of the Dangote & IPMAN partnership has always been geared towards making life better for Nigerians. And of course, this blooming partnership would never have been possible without the pragmatic leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his sound judgment in readjusting the leadership of the NMDPRA and the NUPRC.”

Shettima said the association’s long-standing position remains that Nigeria must deepen domestic refining to end the importation of petroleum products, warning that fuel imports should not coexist with local refinery.