 LPG vessel, boosting Nigeria’s clean energy){kind=link}
President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and Sahara Group for their pivotal role in strengthening Africa’s presence in the global clean energy value chain. The praise followed the unveiling of WAGL Energy Limited’s latest Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, the ‘MT Iyaloja (Lagos)’, a 40,000 cubic metre dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier, at Ulsan, South Korea.
Represented at the event by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s growing capacity to deliver clean, sustainable energy solutions domestically and across the African continent.
He highlighted the strategic importance of the new vessel, which strengthens Nigeria’s commitment to energy security and regional economic development.
In a joint statement, NNPC Ltd and Sahara Group described ‘MT Iyaloja (Lagos)’ as a key addition to WAGL’s LPG fleet, increasing the company’s total fleet capacity to 162,000 cubic metres.
The vessel joins existing carriers—including MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet—underscoring WAGL Energy’s expanding footprint in West Africa’s energy sector.
President Tinubu applauded the two organisations for their “strategic foresight, technical excellence, and unwavering dedication to expanding Africa’s role in the global clean energy value chain.”
He noted that the commissioning of the vessel also highlights Sahara Group’s long-term investment in LPG storage and distribution infrastructure, aimed at enhancing energy access, affordability, and security throughout Africa.
NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, represented by Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, said the MT Iyaloja (Lagos) would play a crucial role in Nigeria’s gas development programme.
Ojulari emphasized that NNPC is focused on making LPG more affordable and accessible nationwide.
He further stated, “NNPC Ltd is proud to be a major shareholder in this indigenous company, which, in addition to the newly commissioned vessel, owns four other LPG carriers delivering over 6 million metric tonnes of LPG across West Africa in the last five years.”
Speaking on behalf of Sahara Group, WAGL’s Chairman and Executive Director, Temitope Shonubi, said the vessel’s launch demonstrates the company’s commitment to bridging Africa’s critical energy infrastructure gaps responsibly.
He added, “The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honour.”
Mohammed Bello, WAGL’s Managing Director, noted that the company plans to expand its fleet further over the next two years, including the addition of a small gas carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier, reinforcing WAGL’s integrated supply network across the entire energy value chain.
The vessel was officially commissioned with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Alhaja Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and granddaughter of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, after whom the ship is named.
The symbolic naming pays tribute to the late mother of President Tinubu and reflects the vessel’s broader role in promoting energy empowerment across Africa.
The launch of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s energy sector, demonstrating how strategic public-private partnerships can accelerate the nation’s clean energy ambitions while bolstering regional LPG supply chains.
Analysts predict that the enhanced fleet capacity will not only support domestic energy needs but also strengthen Nigeria’s position as a key exporter of LPG to West African markets.
With continued collaboration between NNPC Ltd and Sahara Group, Nigeria is set to maintain momentum in delivering sustainable energy solutions that meet both domestic and regional demand, paving the way for a cleaner and more prosperous energy future for Africa.