NNPC Completes AKK Gas Pipeline Main Line, Signals New Era of Gas-Driven Industrialisation in Northern Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced the successful completion of the main pipeline line of the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, marking a major milestone in one of Nigeria’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects. The announcement was made by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, following a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos, where he briefed the President on the company’s 2025 performance and outlined its strategic priorities for 2026.

According to Mr. Ojulari, the completion of the welding of the AKK pipeline’s main line represents a significant technical and logistical achievement for NNPC and its partners. He recalled that earlier in the year, the project team successfully crossed the River Niger, a complex engineering challenge that had delayed the project for several years. Overcoming this hurdle, he said, cleared the way for the final stages of construction, culminating in the completion of the main pipeline route.

“With the welding of the main line now completed, we can move to the next critical phase, which is connecting various facilities and off-takers to the pipeline,” Ojulari explained. He added that these connection works are expected to commence in the early part of the coming year, setting the stage for gas delivery to key locations across the northern corridor of the country.

The AKK Gas Pipeline is designed to transport up to two billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per day. Its route stretches from Ajaokuta in Kogi State through Kaduna to Kano, with spurs and supply points planned for Abuja and other strategic locations along the corridor. The project is expected to supply gas to three proposed independent power plants in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano, as well as fertiliser plants, industrial parks, and other gas-based industries. By doing so, it aims to unlock large-scale industrialisation, boost electricity generation, and stimulate economic growth in regions that have historically faced limited access to gas infrastructure.

Since the project was flagged off in June 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, NNPC Ltd has recorded what it describes as steady progress despite funding challenges, security concerns, and technical complexities. The company maintains that the AKK pipeline remains on track to deliver its core objectives and play a transformative role in Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation strategy.

Beyond the immediate infrastructure milestone, Mr. Ojulari used the occasion to outline NNPC’s broader ambitions for 2026. Central to these plans is a renewed focus on increasing both crude oil and natural gas production. He noted that while boosting production may sound straightforward, it requires attracting the right investments, improving security around assets, and ensuring regulatory stability.

NNPC, he said, is targeting a return to at least 1.8 million barrels of oil per day, an increase from current production levels, while also scaling up gas output to meet rising domestic and export demand. In addition, the company plans to rationalise its asset portfolio to attract fresh capital, develop long-neglected fields, and drive incremental production across both oil and gas assets.

The completion of the AKK pipeline main line aligns with Nigeria’s broader push to transition from a crude oil–dependent economy to a gas-powered one. With Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, Nigeria has increasingly positioned natural gas as a cleaner, more sustainable bridge fuel that can support industrial growth, energy security, and economic diversification.

However, public reactions to the announcement have been mixed. While some Nigerians have welcomed the development as a long-overdue step toward national progress and regional balance, others remain sceptical, citing past experiences where major infrastructure announcements failed to translate into tangible benefits. Questions have also been raised about gas supply sources, final completion timelines, and whether the promised industrial and power projects will materialise as planned.

Despite these concerns, energy analysts generally agree that the completion of the AKK pipeline’s main line is a critical foundation for Nigeria’s gas future. If followed by timely connections, reliable gas supply, and transparent governance, the project could significantly reshape the country’s energy landscape and accelerate industrialisation in northern Nigeria.