Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo yesterday, 19th August, 2025 inaugurated a 40,000 MT LPG vessel, in South Korea, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to increase cooking gas penetration and reduce costs for consumers.
The event which had the President’s daughter, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, as the vessel sponsor and godmother, not only involved the vessel naming ceremony and official handover of the 40,000 MT MT Iyaloja (Lagos) to WAGL Energy, but also included the contract signing ceremony for two more LPG vessels to be built by HD Hyundai.
In his speech, Ekpo said the deployment of MT Iyaloja (Lagos), a state-of-the-art, 40,000 cubic metre dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier, will further strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to deliver clean energy solutions not just within Nigeria, but across Africa and beyond.
According to Ekpo, the choice of name, Iyaloja (Lagos), is deeply symbolic, paying tribute to the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a matriarch known for her resilience, commerce, and community spirit.
“In a world urgently seeking cleaner fuels and lower emissions, Nigeria is determined to lead by example in harnessing our abundant gas resources for both domestic consumption and export markets…This ceremony is far more than the naming of a vessel; it is the celebration of vision, capacity, and the boundless possibilities of Nigerian enterprise on the global stage,” he said. “This vessel, therefore, will more than carry LPG; it carries a legacy. It connects Nigeria’s proud history of enterprise with our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
“It is a tangible reflection of the President’s “From Gas to Prosperity: Renewed Hope Agenda”: a vision anchored on unlocking the potential of gas to drive our Nation’s industrial growth, enhance energy security, economic development, and uplift communities.”
The construction of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) showcases the productive partnership between Nigeria and South Korea, built on mutual respect, innovation, and shared prosperity, through the strategic collaboration between WAGL Energy Limited, a joint venture between NNPC Limited and Sahara Group, and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.
Signed
Louis Ibah
Spokesman for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas).
19th August, 2025
