By Ali Elias
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded WAGL Energy Limited, a joint venture of NNPC Limited and Sahara Group, for their commitment to strengthening Africa’s clean energy value chain with the commissioning of a new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, MT Iyaloja (Lagos).
The President, represented at the ceremony by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the investment reflects strategic foresight, technical excellence, and a dedication to energy access, affordability, and security across the continent.
The commissioning of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) also highlights Sahara Group’s growing role in expanding LPG storage and distribution infrastructure to bridge Africa’s energy infrastructure gap.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, described the vessel as a crucial asset in Nigeria’s gas development agenda. He noted that the company was working to ensure LPG remains available, affordable, and accessible nationwide.
“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 in the last five years,” Ojulari said.
Chairman and Executive Director of Sahara Group, Temitope Shonubi, explained that the expansion was part of the company’s long-term vision to responsibly address the continent’s energy needs. “The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honour,” he said.
Managing Director of WAGL Energy, Mohammed Sani Bello, revealed that the company plans to expand further with the acquisition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) within two years.
The symbolic ribbon-cutting of the vessel, named in honour of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the late mother of President Tinubu, was performed by her granddaughter, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo.
Industry stakeholders say the commissioning marks another step in Nigeria’s effort to deepen domestic gas supply, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen its position in the regional energy market.