Abuja, July 2, 2025 — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has recorded a major milestone in the ongoing construction of the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline as the critical crossing beneath the River Niger has been successfully completed. This feat, which marks a key achievement in the 614-kilometre-long project, brings the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure closer to completion, with delivery expected before the end of 2025.
The development was announced by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, during his presentation at the 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week held in Abuja. He described the successful River Niger crossing as a “historic engineering breakthrough,” reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering the AKK pipeline on schedule.
The pipeline’s crossing of the River Niger was executed using advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology—a trenchless method that allowed the 40-inch diameter pipeline to be installed beneath the riverbed without disturbing the aquatic ecosystem. The segment spans approximately 1.6 kilometres under the river, and according to project contractors, this phase was one of the most challenging portions of the entire route.
The construction work, led by indigenous contractor Oilserv, is part of the broader AKK pipeline development designed to deliver up to 2.2 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per day. The pipeline runs from Ajaokuta in Kogi State through Kaduna and terminates in Kano, with the aim of revitalising northern Nigeria’s energy sector, bolstering industrialisation, and reducing dependence on diesel and other fossil fuels.
Speaking at the event, Ojulari noted that this engineering milestone underscores the technical competence and growing local capacity within Nigeria’s energy sector. He also highlighted that the achievement coincides with a period of improved operational stability, noting that Nigeria recently recorded 100 percent pipeline availability for the first time in years due to enhanced surveillance and infrastructure protection.
Oilserv’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Emeka Okwuosa, commended the engineering teams and stakeholders involved in the successful crossing. He likened the complexity of the River Niger segment to internationally recognised tunnelling feats, describing it as a bold testament to Nigerian expertise in pipeline construction.
As work progresses, the AKK pipeline remains a flagship project under the Nigerian Gas Master Plan, representing a major strategic effort to extend the benefits of natural gas to inland and underserved regions of the country. It is expected to support power generation, drive manufacturing growth, and create jobs through expanded energy access in the North.
The Federal Government, through NNPC Ltd., reaffirmed its commitment to completing the pipeline before the end of 2025, with mechanical work on the Ajaokuta to Kaduna section targeted for December this year. With the River Niger challenge now behind them, stakeholders believe the project is firmly on course to transform Nigeria’s energy economy.
