The Federal Government says work on the $700 million Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline is at its final stage.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed that the River Niger crossing — the most complex part of the project — is close to completion. When fully operational, the 127km pipeline will connect gas supply from the eastern producing fields to the western part of the country, ensuring steady distribution nationwide.

Ekpo, speaking at a webinar on investment opportunities in Nigeria’s gas industry, explained that the OB3 and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipelines are key to the government’s energy and industrialisation plans. He noted that the AKK project, once completed, will be a major boost to domestic gas use, industrial expansion, and regional energy security.

The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in regional pipeline projects, including the West African Gas Pipeline, the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline, and the planned Nigeria–Equatorial Guinea pipeline. These projects, he said, are aimed at deepening regional integration, expanding markets, and linking Africa to Europe’s energy network.

On gas commercialisation, Ekpo said government-backed programmes are encouraging investors to capture and utilise flared gas, creating jobs and reducing emissions. He added that efforts to expand the use of LPG and CNG are underway, with a plan to convert 250,000 households to clean cooking gas in the next ten years.

According to him, Nigeria’s gas strategy is focused on building strong infrastructure that guarantees energy access for industries, households, and communities across the country.