NNPCL ACHIEVES MAJOR GAS PIPELINE BREAKTHROUGH, EYES COMPLETION BY YEAR-END

NNPCL $2.8bn Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project to be completed before the end of the yearas.

Nigeria Breakthrough Nnpcl Ajaokuta-kaduna-kano Gas pipeline project.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has achieved a breakthrough in its $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project, as engineers completed the technically challenging River Niger crossing a key segment long considered the most difficult part of the infrastructure.

Announcing the development on Tuesday during the Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference in Abuja, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, described the milestone as a turning point in the national gas pipeline project that promises to transform energy access and industrial growth across Nigeria’s northern region.

“The River Niger crossing was the most complex section of the pipeline, both technically and commercially. With that now behind us, we are confident that the entire project will be completed before the end of the year,” Ojulari stated during his keynote address at the event themed “Accelerating Global Energy Progress Through Investment, Partnerships & Innovation.”

The AKK gas pipeline, which stretches over 600 kilometers, is part of Nigeria’s broader plan to expand domestic gas utilization and boost energy security. Once completed, it will deliver gas to key industrial clusters and power plants in central and northern Nigeria, supporting efforts to reduce dependence on oil and stimulate regional development.

In addition to the pipeline milestone, Ojulari reported a significant turnaround in the country’s crude oil operations, revealing that Nigeria recorded 100% pipeline availability in June 2025, a stark contrast to the frequent pipeline disruptions seen in mid-2022.

“Through industry-wide security collaboration and stakeholder engagement, we’ve moved from crisis to control,” he said, adding that the improved operational environment is already attracting new investments, particularly in onshore and shallow water oil assets.

Ojulari also highlighted the transformative impact of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, which restructured NNPCL from a state-owned corporation into a commercially driven limited liability company.

“The PIA has empowered NNPCL to raise financing and manage partnerships independently,” he explained. “Today, we can fund our projects internally, which is accelerating growth across the sector.”

He further emphasized the company’s strategic focus on gas production and energy diversification. Under the National Gas Expansion Programme and the Decade of Gas initiative (2021–2030), NNPCL is prioritizing investment in gas infrastructure to support power generation, industrial usage, transportation, and economic growth.

“We’re committed to continuously improving our processes, technology, and operations to expand gas utilization and reduce reliance on oil alone,” Ojulari said.

With the River Niger successfully crossed and completion of the pipeline in sight, the AKK project is poised to become a flagship achievement in Nigeria’s journey toward energy independence and inclusive industrialization.

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NNPCL ACHIEVES MAJOR GAS PIPELINE BREAKTHROUGH, EYES COMPLETION BY YEAR-END

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