‘AKK gas pipeline will revive Northern industries, spur economic growth’

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has declared the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK, Gas Pipeline Project a game-changer for Nigeria’s economic revival, especially in the country’s northern industrial corridor.

Speaking at the 2025 AKK Gas Pipeline Business Development Forum, themed “AKK Pipeline Progress Update and Opportunities Engagement,” Ojulari said the multibillion-dollar infrastructure is designed to address persistent energy shortages, unlock dormant industrial assets, and promote regional development.

“The AKK Gas Pipeline is not just a pipeline, it is a lifeline for Nigeria’s energy security and economic rebirth. This project will revitalize industries that have been idle for years and create thousands of jobs along its corridor.”

Also speaking, the Executive Vice President of Gas, Power, and New Energy at NNPC Ltd., Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, emphasized the project’s commercial viability and strategic relevance to the national gas expansion plan.

“This is a transformative opportunity to connect demand centres in northern Nigeria with abundant gas resources from the South. We are committed to delivering value to our partners, fulfilling the Presidential gas mandate, and ensuring this project benefits all Nigerians.”

The forum brought together stakeholders from across the energy ecosystem, including government officials, regulators, investors, gas producers, pipeline operators, and industrial off-takers.

Participants at the event discussed the commercial models underpinning the AKK pipeline, financing strategies, route access, security concerns, and industrial clusters that will benefit from reliable gas supply.

Industry players commended NNPC Ltd. for its transparency, coordination efforts, and strong execution momentum on the project. They also called for complementary policies from the Federal Government to ensure stable pricing, investor confidence, and sustainable market expansion.

The AKK Gas Pipeline is a flagship project under Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and a cornerstone of the national gas infrastructure blueprint, intended to deepen domestic gas utilization and reduce reliance on importation.

The project is being developed in phases and is expected to reach mechanical completion in the near term. Upon commissioning, it will form the backbone of Nigeria’s transnational gas transmission network.