The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has finished the main section of the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, a project expected to boost gas supply and industrial activity in northern Nigeria.

NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, announced the milestone after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

He said the company successfully completed the welding of the pipeline’s main line, a development that will allow connections to other sections to begin in early 2026.
Ojulari highlighted that crossing the River Niger, a long-standing challenge, was a key achievement during the project. The completed pipeline will bring gas to Kaduna, Kano, Ajaokuta, and Abuja, supporting industrial parks, fertilizer plants, gas-based industries, and power generation.

The CEO also shared updates on NNPC’s performance in 2025. He said crude oil production rose from about 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) last year to over 1.7 million bpd this year. Gas production also increased, from roughly 6.5 billion to over 7 billion standard cubic feet per day.

Looking ahead, Ojulari said NNPC’s main focus for 2026 is increasing production. The company aims to raise oil output to at least 1.8 million bpd next year, while continuing to expand gas production. He also expects significant new investments and plans to rationalize NNPC’s portfolio to attract funding and revive long-dormant fields.

President Tinubu has tasked NNPC with achieving an additional N30 billion investment by 2030 and increasing national oil production to two million bpd by 2027.