President Bola Tinubu has Inaugurated a 40,000 cubic meters (CBM) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, christened “MT Iyaloja (Lagos),” in Ulsan, South Korea.
The new vessel, MT Iyaloja (Lagos), was officially unveiled by President Tinubu’s daughter, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria. The ship was named in honour of her late grandmother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, MFR.
The vessel, owned by WAGL Energy Limited, a joint venture between NNPC Ltd. and Sahara Group, marks a significant milestone in Africa’s clean energy landscape.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended WAGL Energy Limited, NNPC Limited, and Sahara Group for their strategic foresight and dedication to expanding Africa’s role in the global clean energy value chain.
“Nigeria is poised to deliver clean and sustainable energy solutions not just in-country but also across Africa and beyond,” Tinubu said.
He noted that the partnership between NNPC Ltd. and Sahara Group is a testament to the country’s commitment to developing its energy sector.
The launching of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) brings WAGL’s total LPG vessel capacity to 162,000 CBM.
According to Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., the vessel will play a crucial role in realizing the impact of gas in Nigeria’s economic development.
“NNPC Ltd. is deepening its commitment to ensure LPG affordability, availability, and access, nationwide,” Ojulari said.
The company has delivered over 6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last five years.
The GCEO, who was represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, added that the vessel will be crucial in realising the impact of gas in Nigeria’s economic development.
WAGL’s Chairman/Executive Director at Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, noted that the company’s expansion demonstrates its vision of responsibly driving efforts aimed at bridging the continent’s critical energy infrastructure gap.
“Sahara Group is proud of its partnership with NNPC Ltd. and reaffirms its commitment to partnerships that drive energy access in Africa,” Shonubi said.
WAGL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello, stressed that the company is dedicated to expanding its integrated supply network across the entire energy value chain.
The company has plans to further expand its fleet within the next two years with the addition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC).
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