NNPC Ltd Completes AKK Gas Pipeline Main Line, Paving Way for Northern Industrialization

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced the successful completion of the main pipeline line for the strategic Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas project. This critical achievement marks a pivotal step in the federal government’s plan to expand domestic gas supply and stimulate economic growth in northern Nigeria.

NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed the development following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos. Ojulari emphasized that this completion allows the company to advance to the subsequent phase, which involves constructing connecting facilities and distribution infrastructure to enable actual gas delivery. This foundational progress is essential for the region’s development, much like discussions on economic morality, such as the 2027: Onaiyekan urges, which highlight the need for ethical foundations in national growth.

Ojulari noted that the milestone was reached after overcoming significant technical hurdles, most notably the complex crossing of the River Niger. “By completing this main line, we can begin to make all the connections to the main line, which we will do in the earlier parts of next year,” he stated. He explained that this will bring gas in its full form to Kaduna, Kano, Ajaokuta, and Abuja, fueling industrialization, power generation, and gas-based industries like fertilizer plants. This infrastructure boost is as crucial for internal trade as efficient transport is during periods like the Yuletide: S-east-bound commuters experience, both being vital for economic connectivity.

The CEO linked this and other operational gains to internal reforms, reporting that oil production has increased from approximately 1.5 million barrels per day in 2024 to over 1.7 million in 2025. Similarly, gas production rose from about 6.5 billion to over 7 billion standard cubic feet per day. Looking ahead, NNPC’s focus for 2026 is on further increasing production through new investments, targeting at least 1.8 million barrels per day. This operational integrity is paramount, contrasting with issues of governance like an alleged $42m fraud, which undermine sectoral progress.

President Tinubu has mandated NNPC to attract $30 billion in investments by 2030 and boost oil production to two million barrels per day by 2027. The AKK pipeline is central to this strategy, aiming to resolve long-standing energy constraints in the north. This drive for industrial capacity, where the manufacturing sector tops the list of beneficiaries, mirrors the transformative potential of modern tools; just as AI chatbots can revolutionize service delivery, robust energy infrastructure can redefine a region’s economic potential.