AKK gas pipeline Investment gains momentum as NNPC seeks investors ahead of first gas delivery expected by July 2026

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), led by its Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, has intensified efforts to attract investors ahead of the anticipated first gas delivery from the Ajaokuta–Gwagwalada segment of the AKK pipeline under a renewed AKK Gas Pipeline Investment push.

Also read: Reps back NNPC stake in Dangote Refinery as positive reform

Officials disclosed that the project, a major component of the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline network, is expected to begin supplying gas by July 2026, a milestone widely viewed as transformative for energy access and industrial expansion across northern Nigeria.

Speaking after a stakeholders’ workshop on mini-LNG and L-CNG infrastructure in Abuja, Olalekan Ogunleye said Nigeria had moved decisively from an oil-dependent structure to a gas-led economy aimed at strengthening energy security and economic growth.

Represented by Kachala Suleman at the event convened by Portland Gas Limited, Ogunleye noted that the country’s long-standing oil dominance had given way to a strategic gas-first transition aligned with the national Decade of Gas agenda.

He stated that NNPC targets increasing national gas production to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and scaling output to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030 to support industrial revival and global competitiveness.

According to him, Nigeria’s proven gas reserves exceeding 210 trillion cubic feet present powerful investment opportunities, while domestic gas supply has already surpassed two billion cubic feet per day, signalling readiness for large-scale industrial utilisation.

The workshop focused on investment prospects tied to a proposed Mini-LNG and L-CNG facility in Gwagwalada, Abuja, designed to strengthen gas commercialisation, transportation reform and decentralised energy distribution.

Ogunleye highlighted rapid growth within Nigeria’s compressed natural gas segment, revealing that more than 300 conversion centres have emerged nationwide alongside over 200 million dollars in private investment commitments.

The national target, he added, is to achieve one million CNG vehicle conversions by 2027.

He explained that the Ajaokuta–Gwagwalada segment of the 614-kilometre AKK pipeline would link northern industrial hubs to reliable gas supply, enabling competitive electricity generation, manufacturing expansion, auto-CNG adoption and large-scale job creation.

“The countdown to July 2026 has begun,” Ogunleye said, noting that the opening of the pipeline would unlock productivity, industrial growth and economic renewal along the corridor.

Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Ismaeel Ahmed, represented by Tosin Coker, said Nigeria was building a competitive gas economy capable of lowering transport costs and stimulating domestic manufacturing.

Ahmed emphasised that expanding mini-LNG and L-CNG infrastructure would overcome pipeline limitations by delivering gas to emerging demand centres, industrial clusters and commercial transport fleets.

Also speaking, Chief Commercial Officer of Portland Gas Limited, Michelle Ejiofor, described the Gwagwalada project as a bridge between stranded gas resources and end users seeking affordable and cleaner energy alternatives.

Industry stakeholders noted that sustained AKK Gas Pipeline Investment remains central to Nigeria’s broader energy transition strategy, particularly following petrol subsidy removal and rising fuel costs that have accelerated demand for alternative energy solutions.

Also read: NNPC reduces petrol prices to N740 in Lagos

Analysts say continued investment in pipelines, virtual gas networks and mini-LNG facilities could reshape Nigeria’s energy landscape, improve industrial competitiveness and reinforce long-term macroeconomic stability.