The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) says the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline is on track to be activated for gas export in early 2026.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, disclosed this after briefing President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, following an inspection of the project by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and senior NNPC executives.
Ojulari said welding of the pipeline’s main line has been completed, including the River Niger crossing, a major engineering hurdle that had stalled the project for years.
“With the completion of the River Niger crossing, we can begin connecting the remaining sections early next year,” he said, adding that the milestone clears the way for the pipeline’s activation.
Once operational, the AKK pipeline will transport gas across northern Nigeria, supplying industries and supporting economic activity in cities such as Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Ajaokuta.
“This project goes beyond energy supply,” Ojulari said. “It is about industrialisation—power generation, fertiliser production and the growth of gas-based industries. We expect industrial parks to emerge along the corridor.”
The NNPC boss also said Nigeria’s oil production is projected to increase to 1.8 million barrels per day in 2026, up from about 1.7 million barrels per day this year, while gas output is expected to continue rising.
He attributed the improved outlook to reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, which he said have repositioned NNPC as a commercially focused company operating without federal budget support.
Ojulari added that President Tinubu has reaffirmed plans to attract $30 billion in new investments by 2030 and raise oil production to two million barrels per day by 2027.
Conceived in 2008, the AKK pipeline is a central part of Nigeria’s gas development strategy and is expected to boost energy access, improve power supply and drive industrial growth in northern Nigeria, a region long affected by infrastructure deficits and power shortages.
