Tinubu Applauds NNPC, Sahara

President Bola Tinubu has applauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Sahara Group for their commitment to advancing Africa’s standing in the global clean energy space. His commendation followed the unveiling of a new 40,000 cubic metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, MT Iyaloja (Lagos), built for WAGL Energy Limited, a joint venture between NNPC and Sahara Group. The ceremony took place on Monday in Ulsan, South Korea.

Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, President Tinubu noted that Nigeria is strategically positioned to deliver clean and sustainable energy not only to its citizens but also to the wider African continent and beyond. He described the commissioning as a milestone achievement that reflects “strategic foresight, technical excellence, and unwavering dedication” by NNPC and Sahara Group in expanding Africa’s participation in the global clean energy value chain.

In a joint statement, both companies highlighted that MT Iyaloja (Lagos) is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier, further strengthening WAGL’s fleet capacity to 162,000 CBM. The new vessel joins four others MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet. This expansion underlines the venture’s growing influence in West Africa’s gas value chain.

President Tinubu also underscored Sahara Group’s investments in LPG storage and distribution infrastructure across Africa. According to him, these efforts are helping to address long-standing challenges of energy access, affordability, and security on the continent.

Speaking at the event, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye hailed the new vessel as a significant addition to Nigeria’s gas development programme. He noted that NNPC remains committed to driving LPG availability, affordability, and accessibility nationwide. Over the last five years, WAGL’s fleet has delivered more than six million metric tonnes of LPG across West Africa, he added, describing the joint venture as a model for indigenous participation in Africa’s energy sector.

WAGL’s Chairman and Sahara Group’s Executive Director, Temitope Shonubi, described the vessel as a symbol of progress, empowerment, and responsible energy development. He stressed that Sahara Group is committed to bridging Africa’s critical energy infrastructure gap while deepening partnerships that drive sustainable energy access. Shonubi further noted that naming the vessel after the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the mother of President Tinubu, reflects a legacy of resilience and empowerment.

On his part, WAGL’s Managing Director, Mohammed Bello, disclosed that the company plans to expand its fleet within the next two years by acquiring both a small gas carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC). According to him, the expansion is part of WAGL’s broader strategy to strengthen its integrated supply network across the energy value chain.

The unveiling ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting performed by Alhaja Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and granddaughter of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, in whose honour the vessel was named.