The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confirmed that operations on the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline will commence in July 2026, with the first gas expected to flow through the Ajaokuta-Gwagwalada section of the project.
The confirmation was made during a stakeholders’ workshop on emerging opportunities in compressed natural gas (CNG), organised in Abuja by Portland Gas Limited.
Speaking at the event, NNPCL’s Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, said the 614-kilometre pipeline is a critical part of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure plan. He explained that the project is designed to link northern industrial centres to gas-producing regions in the south, helping to address energy shortages and support economic growth.
Ogunleye, who was represented by the company’s Manager of Business Development, Suleiman Kachalla, noted that the AKK pipeline is expected to drive industrial expansion across northern Nigeria. According to him, the project will support power generation, manufacturing, Auto-CNG adoption, Mini-LNG development and employment creation across the gas value chain.
NNPCL also highlighted the growing importance of Gwagwalada as a key logistics and commercial hub. The area’s strategic location along major transport routes linking Kogi State and other northern centres has increased energy demand from transport operators, small and medium-scale manufacturers, real estate developers and agro-processing businesses.
The company said the AKK project is already attracting investments into gas-related infrastructure, particularly Mini-LNG and L-CNG facilities located around the Abuja take-off point. These facilities are expected to supply fuel for vehicles, power industries, and reduce reliance on diesel, while improving energy reliability.
NNPCL added that Mini-LNG infrastructure is modular and scalable, allowing projects to be deployed quickly and expanded in phases as demand grows, thereby lowering capital risks for investors.
Also speaking at the workshop, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Portland Gas Limited, Folajimi Mohammed, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering clean, reliable and sustainable gas solutions. He said Portland Gas is prepared to invest further in Nigeria’s gas sector, noting that the industry now presents strong opportunities for long-term investors.
The AKK gas pipeline is widely seen as a key project in Nigeria’s drive to deepen domestic gas utilisation, strengthen energy security and support industrial development across the country.
