President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned a new 40,000 cubic meter Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, which was built for West Africa Gas Limited (WAGL).
Represented at the event by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, President Tinubu praised NNPC Ltd. and Sahara Group for their foresight in expanding Africa’s participation in the clean energy value chain.
“Nigeria is poised to deliver clean and sustainable energy solutions not just within our borders, but also across Africa and beyond.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
He noted that the commissioning of the vessel was not merely a corporate achievement but a testament to Nigeria’s growing leadership in the global energy transition.
The President made the remarks during the commissioning of West Africa Gas Limited (WAGL) Energy Limited’s newest Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, the MT Iyaloja (Lagos), in Ulsan, South Korea.
The state-of-the-art vessel has a capacity of 40,000 cubic meters and joins WAGL’s growing fleet of gas carriers.
The President also lauded the technical excellence and long-term vision of WAGL Energy, describing the development as a milestone that highlights Africa’s ability to invest in world-class infrastructure and play a central role in advancing clean energy access.
The vessel is jointly owned by WAGL Energy Limited, a venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Sahara Group.
It is dual-fuel and fully refrigerated, enhancing its efficiency and environmental sustainability. With this addition, WAGL’s total LPG vessel capacity has now reached 162,000 CBM, strengthening its presence in the regional and global gas market.
NNPC Highlights Economic Benefits
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, underscored the economic importance of the newly commissioned vessel.
Represented by the Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, he explained that the addition will accelerate Nigeria’s efforts to deepen its domestic gas agenda.
“NNPC Ltd. is committed to ensuring affordability, availability, and access to LPG nationwide.
“As a shareholder in this indigenous company, we are proud that WAGL now operates five vessels, which together have delivered over six million metric tonnes of LPG across West Africa in the last five years.”
Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd.
Engr. Ojulari stressed that LPG expansion is at the heart of Nigeria’s drive to transition from heavy reliance on liquid fuels to cleaner gas-based energy, which will in turn boost economic development, reduce carbon emissions, and create new opportunities in the downstream sector.
On his part, WAGL’s Chairman and Sahara Group’s Executive Director, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, linked the company’s expansion drive to its vision of bridging Africa’s critical 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 through this naming.”
Mr. Temitope Shonubi, WAGL’s Chairman and Sahara Group’s Executive Director
He further emphasized that expanding Africa’s LPG capacity is vital for addressing the continent’s rising energy needs while supporting global climate goals.
“Sahara Group is proud of its partnership with NNPC Ltd. and remains committed to initiatives that responsibly drive energy access across the continent.”
Mr. Temitope Shonubi, WAGL’s Chairman and Sahara Group’s Executive Director
WAGL’s Future Expansion Plans
WAGL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello, revealed that the company is already planning to grow its fleet further in the next two years.
“We are set to introduce both a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) to our operations.”
Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello, WAGL’s Managing Director
According to him, this expansion aligns with WAGL’s vision of building an integrated supply network across the energy value chain, ensuring that African countries can reliably access affordable clean energy solutions.
The commissioning ceremony also featured a symbolic ribbon-cutting performed by Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and granddaughter of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, after whom the vessel was named.
The gesture underscored the vessel’s symbolic connection to Nigerian heritage and its forward-looking role in Africa’s energy future.
With global energy markets shifting towards cleaner fuels, stakeholders view this milestone as a strategic move that places Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s energy transformation.
READ ALSO: Ghana Set to Smash All 2025 Economic Targets – IC Research Hails Strong H1 Performance
