The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has intensified efforts to complete the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, aiming for mechanical completion of the mainline by the end of 2025.

Valued at $2.8 billion, the 614-kilometer pipeline stretches from Ajaokuta in Kogi State through Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna, and terminates in Kano State. It represents the first phase of the broader Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) project, designed to create a reliable gas transmission network across the country.

NNPC officials confirmed that additional resources and subcontractors have been mobilized to accelerate construction after previous delays. The project had initially been slated for completion in 2023 but faced setbacks along the way. As of mid-2025, the pipeline is approximately 86% finished.

Key progress includes the successful crossing of the River Niger, a complex engineering milestone completed by indigenous energy firm Oilserv Limited. Once operational, the AKK pipeline will deliver up to 3,500 million cubic feet of gas per day from southern gas fields to northern Nigeria, supporting power plants, petrochemical industries, and domestic consumption in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina.

The pipeline is central to Nigeria’s Gas Master Plan, which aims to reduce gas flaring, boost power generation, and promote industrial growth. Analysts note that the AKK project will enhance energy reliability, create jobs, and drive economic development while contributing to environmental goals.

Completion of the AKK gas pipeline will also strengthen regional energy security by linking the northern and southern gas networks, positioning Nigeria as a hub for gas-based industrialization in Africa. The fast-tracked project reflects the government’s commitment to modernizing the country’s energy infrastructure and diversifying its economy beyond crude oil exports.