Nigeria has taken another step in advancing clean energy delivery as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated a 40,000-cubic-metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier in Ulsan, South Korea.

The vessel, named MT Iyaloja (Lagos), is owned by WAGL Energy Limited, a joint venture between NNPC Limited and Sahara Group. With this addition, WAGL’s fleet capacity now stands at 162,000 CBM, strengthening the company’s presence in Africa’s LPG market.

Speaking through the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, President Tinubu applauded NNPC Ltd. and Sahara Group for their investment in energy infrastructure, describing the project as a boost to Africa’s role in global clean energy development.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said the vessel would support Nigeria’s gas agenda, noting that WAGL has already transported more than six million metric tonnes of LPG across West Africa in the last five years.

Sahara Group’s Executive Director, Temitope Shonubi, stressed that the company’s expansion reflects its mission to close energy infrastructure gaps on the continent. He also explained that the ship’s name honours the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of President Tinubu, whose values of empowerment remain an inspiration.

WAGL’s Managing Director, Mohammed Sani Bello, disclosed that the company plans to grow its fleet further with the addition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier within the next two years.

The naming ceremony was completed with a ribbon cutting performed by the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo, granddaughter of Abibatu Mogaji.

With MT Iyaloja (Lagos) now in operation, Nigeria aims to strengthen LPG supply, ensuring affordability and accessibility while contributing to Africa’s clean energy transition.