…NNPC, Sahara Group expand Africa’s clean energy footprint
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading Africa’s transition to clean and sustainable energy with the commissioning of a new 40,000 cubic meters (CBM) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel in Ulsan, South Korea.
The vessel, named MT Iyaloja (Lagos), belongs to WAGL Energy Limited, a joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Sahara Group. With dual-fuel technology and fully refrigerated capacity, the LPG carrier is expected to boost Nigeria’s and West Africa’s access to affordable clean energy.
Speaking at the ceremony on Monday, President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, praised WAGL, NNPC Ltd., and Sahara Group for their “strategic foresight, technical excellence, and unwavering dedication to expanding Africa’s role in the global clean energy value chain.”
The President noted that the commissioning marked a milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to deploy gas as a transition fuel for economic development and environmental sustainability.
“Nigeria is poised to deliver clean and sustainable energy solutions not just in-country but also across Africa and beyond,” Tinubu said.
Boosting Gas Infrastructure and Access
The 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, described the vessel as a strategic asset for Nigeria’s gas agenda.
He explained that the company was determined to ensure LPG availability, affordability, and access nationwide, while deepening the country’s gas infrastructure.
“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 6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last five years,” he said.
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Private Sector Commitment
WAGL’s Chairman and Executive Director at Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, said the new vessel underlined the company’s vision to close Africa’s critical 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. 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, disclosed that the company was already working on plans to expand its fleet further within the next two years with the acquisition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC).
Honouring Tinubu’s Mother
The vessel was named in honour of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, MFR, the mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The symbolic ribbon-cutting was performed by her grand-daughter, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo.
With the commissioning of MT Iyaloja (Lagos), WAGL Energy Limited has increased its LPG vessel capacity to 162,000 CBM, joining its existing fleet of MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet.
The development strengthens Nigeria’s position as a hub for clean energy in West Africa while reaffirming the government’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate the continent’s energy transition.