Nigeria has taken another major step in its push for cleaner energy solutions with the unveiling of a 40,000 cubic metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, jointly owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Sahara Group.
The NNPC LPG vessel, christened “MT Iyaloja (Lagos)”, was officially commissioned on Monday at Ulsan, South Korea, by President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
In his message, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to delivering clean and sustainable energy at home, across Africa, and globally.
He praised WAGL Energy Limited, the joint venture between NNPC Ltd. and Sahara Group, for its foresight and dedication to expanding Africa’s role in the global clean energy value chain.
“This milestone reflects our vision of energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
The MT Iyaloja (Lagos) strengthens Nigeria’s leadership in LPG supply and demonstrates our ability to compete on the global stage,” the President said.
The new LPG carrier is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated vessel designed to enhance Nigeria’s capacity in gas shipping.
With this addition, WAGL Energy’s fleet capacity rises to 162,000 CBM, consolidating its position as a key player in Africa’s maritime gas transportation sector.
Other vessels in the fleet include MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet. Over the last five years, the company has delivered more than 6 million metric tonnes of LPG across West Africa.
According to NNPC Ltd.’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, represented at the event by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, the vessel represents a strategic addition to Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.
“NNPC Ltd. remains committed to deepening LPG availability, affordability, and access nationwide.
This vessel is not just about transportation; it is about ensuring energy security, boosting economic growth, and positioning Nigeria as a regional gas hub,” Kyari said.
WAGL’s Chairman and Sahara Group Executive Director, Temitope Shonubi, described the new vessel as a symbol of empowerment and progress.
He noted that it was named in honour of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the late mother of President Tinubu, whose legacy of entrepreneurship and resilience continues to inspire.
“This expansion reflects our determination to responsibly bridge Africa’s energy infrastructure gap.
The MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies not only energy progress but also empowerment, trade, and sustainability,” Shonubi stated.
The Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, performed the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony in South Korea.
WAGL Managing Director, Mohammed Sani Bello, revealed that the company plans to expand further within the next two years by adding a Small Gas Carrier (SGC) and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC).
“This aligns with our long-term vision of building an integrated supply network across the energy value chain. Our focus is on scale, efficiency, and sustainability,” Bello said.
Experts say the addition of the MT Iyaloja (Lagos) will ease LPG distribution bottlenecks in Nigeria, where rising demand for clean cooking gas has put pressure on domestic supply chains.
With over 60% of Nigerian households still dependent on firewood and kerosene, expanding LPG infrastructure is seen as crucial for reducing deforestation, cutting carbon emissions, and improving public health.
Energy analysts also note that the vessel will enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global LPG trade, particularly as African nations seek alternatives to coal and oil.
By increasing shipping capacity, Nigeria is expected to reduce import reliance, stabilise domestic supply, and potentially lower LPG prices.
The unveiling of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) is part of NNPC and Sahara’s wider strategy to make Nigeria a gas-powered economy.
The Federal Government has already declared “the Decade of Gas”, a policy framework aimed at harnessing Nigeria’s 206 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves.
If effectively implemented, this initiative could make gas not only the backbone of Nigeria’s domestic energy supply but also a major export revenue driver.
With the MT Iyaloja (Lagos) now in service, stakeholders believe Nigeria is sending a strong message of readiness—both to its citizens and to the international community—that the country is serious about its transition to clean and sustainable energy.