The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, has assured of the speedy delivery of the $2.8bn Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Natural Gas Pipeline project, adding that the project will unlock economic prosperity when it comes on board.
He said to fulfill this commitment, the oil company had to invite new contractors to ensure its speedy completion. The GCEO said this while giving an assurance to potential investors and stakeholders at NNPC Limited’s Gas Power & New Energy Directorate for the 2025 AKK Business Development Forum, monitored by our correspondent on Thursday.
The theme of the forum was “AKK pipeline progress update and opportunities engagement.” He noted that the company is working to change the mindset of skeptics who had previously dismissed the project as a “white elephant.”
The second segment of the AKK project is a 320km pipeline which the NNPC boss said all welding works have been completed.
Ojulari said, “We do not acknowledge the nearing completion of an engineering marvel only. We collectively recognize the need to work hard, or let me even say harder, together, to make sure the full benefit of this pipeline of prosperity is fully realised.
“This is a milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards energy security, economic revitalization, and industrial resilience. The AKK pipeline is more than infrastructure. It is a lifeline for economic advancement, job creation, and national integration.
“Its strategic significance is in unlocking the vast gas reserves of Nigeria to power homes, industries, and innovations across the country cannot be overstated. The AKK gas pipeline is a strategic economic catalyst for Nigeria and is poised to reshape the landscape in so many ways. First, power generation and industrial growth.”
The NNPC boss described the gas pipeline as a strategic economic catalyst for Nigeria, which is poised to reshape the landscape through power generation and industrial growth.
“The pipeline will supply up to 2.2 billion standard cubic feet of gas a day. Foil in power plants in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and others. This will revive industries, especially in Northern Nigeria, where I grew up.”
He disclosed that over 1,900 skilled and semi-skilled Nigerians have already been employed directly on the project, adding that “Thousands more will be employed once the pipeline becomes operational due to economic spin-offs that will occur all across the sectors.
Ojulari said, “The AKK pipeline supports Nigeria’s decade of gas initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on oil and expanding gas-based industries. It enhances energy equality by extending gas infrastructure to the northern region, which have historically lagged behind in access to energy.
“Transportation and agriculture, the pipeline with deepened compressed natural gas adoption for transport, lowering fuel costs and emissions. Transportation of food from the north to other regions of the country and sub-Saharan Africa. It is expected to support agro-processing industries, improve value chains, and rural economies.
“Next, regional integration and export potential. Future extensions could link Nigeria to North Africa, opening transcontinental gas trade routes and economic uplift. I am a great enthusiast in connecting Africa, so this is a unique opportunity as well for us to do our part in collecting this sub-region.
“Next are clean energy credentials. The pipeline will transport natural gas, which is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, emitting significantly less carbon dioxide than coal or oil when used for power generation. Diesel will be displaced massively with the coming of this pipeline.”
The Project Manager, AKKK Gas Project, Japhet Chairman, said the second segment of the AKK project is 320km, adding that all welding works have been completed.
The $2.8bn Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline is a 40-inch diameter high-pressure transmission pipeline that will operate at 1,000 pounds per square inch.
He said, “We have also done all the river crossings. We have done all the road crossings. Currently, management has also approved, and we will expedite by introducing additional contractors to fast-track the completion of the segment work.”
The Executive Director, Projects, Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company Ltd, Audu Ibrahim, while giving an update on the status of the pipeline, said segment one is 79.76 per cent complete. He added that pre-commissioning activities are ongoing.
According to him, overall completion of the mainline is 83.05 per cent as of July 19, 2025. He added that by November, “We should have the AKK Pipeline end-to-end mechanically completed.”
