Nigeria is aiming to begin supplying natural gas to its capital, Abuja, by July through the long-anticipated Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, according to a spokesperson from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
“We’re hoping that by July, gas will be delivered to Abuja through the AKK gas pipeline,” the spokesperson said in the regulator’s in-house publication.
Stretching 614 kilometres (382 miles), the pipeline is designed to transport over 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day.
It plays a central role in Nigeria’s broader strategy to transition its energy mix toward gas, support power generation, boost industrial activity in the northern regions, and reduce dependence on diesel and fuel oil, according to Reuters.
Although Nigeria holds Africa’s largest natural gas reserves, estimated at more than 210 trillion cubic feet, its infrastructure has lagged behind, making the AKK pipeline a crucial test of the country’s gas-driven growth plans.
The project, valued at $2.8 billion, was first proposed in 2008 but has faced repeated delays, missing earlier completion targets set for 2023 and later the final quarter of 2025.
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Construction officially began in 2020 but encountered setbacks due to funding constraints and complex engineering requirements.
One of the most challenging aspects was the crossing of the River Niger, which required drilling beneath the riverbed using horizontal directional drilling, an approach often likened to a scaled-down version of the Eurotunnel.
According to an energy lawyer involved in the project who spoke to Reuters, construction is now at an advanced stage, with more than 90% of the pipeline completed.
Gas transported through the AKK pipeline will primarily come from southern Nigeria’s producing regions, connected through the East-West Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, industry sources confirmed.
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Image Credit: Nairametrics
