By Atoyebi Nike
Nigeria has taken another step in its clean energy expansion as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, commissioned a 40,000 cubic meters Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, “MT Iyaloja (Lagos),” in Ulsan, South Korea.
The vessel, owned by WAGL Energy Limited a joint venture between NNPC Limited and Sahara Group is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier that brings WAGL’s total capacity to 162,000 CBM. Other vessels in the fleet include MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet.
Tinubu described the development as proof of Nigeria’s commitment to delivering clean and sustainable energy solutions at home and across Africa. He praised WAGL Energy, NNPC Ltd., and Sahara Group for their “strategic foresight, technical excellence, and dedication to Africa’s role in the global clean energy value chain.”
Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, said the new vessel will significantly enhance Nigeria’s gas development goals. He noted that NNPC has already delivered more than 6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last five years and is committed to making the product more affordable and accessible nationwide.
WAGL Chairman and Sahara Group Executive Director, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, said the commissioning reflects the company’s vision to bridge Africa’s energy infrastructure gap responsibly. “The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honour,” he said.
Managing Director of WAGL, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello, revealed plans to expand the fleet with a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) within two years, strengthening its integrated energy supply network.
The symbolic ribbon-cutting was performed by Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo, Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and granddaughter of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, for whom the vessel was named.
