By Chioma Obinagwam
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to providing clean and sustainable energy solutions across Africa and beyond.
Confiance News gathered from a statement issued by NNPC Limited on Monday.
Speaking at the commissioning of the 40,000 cubic meters (CBM) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, “MT Iyaloja (Lagos),” in Ulsan, South Korea, the President highlighted the nation’s strides in the global energy landscape.
The vessel, owned by WAGL Energy Limited—a joint venture between NNPC Ltd. and Sahara Group—is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier. With this addition, WAGL’s fleet capacity now stands at 162,000 CBM, including other vessels such as MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet.
Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, President Tinubu lauded WAGL Energy Limited, NNPC Limited, and Sahara Group for their strategic vision, technical expertise, and dedication to enhancing Africa’s position in the global clean energy value chain.
Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., represented by Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, described the vessel as a significant boost to Nigeria’s gas development initiatives. “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 (4) other LPG vessels in its growing fleet, delivering over 6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last 5 years,” he stated, underscoring NNPC’s commitment to ensuring LPG affordability, availability, and access nationwide.
WAGL’s Chairman and Sahara Group Executive Director, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, highlighted the company’s mission to address 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. 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, emphasized the company’s focus on expanding its integrated supply network across the energy value chain. “WAGL already has plans to further expand the fleet within the next two years with the addition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC),” he added.
The vessel, named in honor of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, MFR, the late mother of President Tinubu, was symbolically commissioned with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by her granddaughter, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria.
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