By Faith Obams, JKNewsMedia Intern
COMMITMENT TO clean and sustainable energy solutions across Africa took centre stage on Monday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned a 40,000 cubic metres (CBM) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel in Ulsan, South Korea.
The vessel, named MT Iyaloja (Lagos), is owned by WAGL Energy Limited, a joint venture between NNPC Limited and Sahara Group.
Speaking through the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the President said Nigeria remains positioned to provide clean energy not only within its borders but across the continent and beyond.
He commended WAGL Energy Limited, NNPC Limited, and Sahara Group for their strategic foresight, technical excellence, and dedication to strengthening Africa’s role in the global clean energy space.
The newly commissioned vessel is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier, which expands WAGL’s total vessel capacity to 162,000 CBM.
Other carriers in the company’s fleet include MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet.
According to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the commissioning of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) is an important milestone in gas development initiatives.
Represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, Ojulari noted that the vessel would play a significant role in boosting Nigeria’s economic growth through increased gas utilisation.
“NNPC Ltd. is proud to be a major shareholder in this indigenous company which in addition to the newly commissioned MT Iyaloja (Lagos), owns four other LPG vessels in its growing fleet, delivering over six million metric tonnes of LPG across West Africa over the last five years,” he stated.
He added that NNPC remains committed to ensuring affordability, availability, and access to LPG nationwide.
WAGL’s Chairman and Executive Director at Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, said the company’s expansion reflects its resolve to bridge Africa’s energy infrastructure gap.
“The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honour.
Sahara Group is proud of its partnership with NNPC Ltd. and reaffirms its commitment to partnerships that drive energy access in Africa,” he said.
WAGL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello, explained that the company is focused on strengthening its integrated supply network across the entire energy value chain.
He disclosed that expansion plans are underway to include a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) within the next two years.
The commissioning featured a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo, Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and granddaughter of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, in whose honour the vessel was named. Mogaji, mother of President Tinubu, was remembered for her leadership as a prominent trader and community figure.
The launch of MT Iyaloja (Lagos), according to officials present, strengthens the ongoing efforts by WAGL and its partners to deepen energy access, enhance economic opportunities, and reinforce Nigeria’s role as a key player in the global energy market.
