The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced it would inaugurate the $2.8bn Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project in December.

The project, which is being constructed by Oilserve Limited, will transport natural gas from southern Nigeria to central Nigeria.

Oritsemiyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Limited, made the announcement at the ongoing 41st Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) 2023 expo in Lagos on Tuesday last week.

“The commitment to delivering the AKK gas pipeline project in December is a testament to NNPC’s commitment to Nigeria’s Gas Master Plan,” Eyesan said.

“In the coming months, you are going to be seeing a great difference in the way we operate because NNPC is poised to drive in more investments into the oil and gas sector. One of such huge investments is the AKK gas pipeline that will be commissioned this December.”

The inauguration of the AKK gas pipeline project will mark a major milestone for the Nigerian government, which has been working to increase the country’s gas production and utilization, with the project expected to boost power generation, industrial development, and job creation in the country.

“The AKK gas pipeline project is a critical infrastructure project that will have a significant impact on the Nigerian economy,” said Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State, Gas. 

“The project will help to diversify the country’s energy mix, reduce reliance on imported gas, and create jobs.”

Funded by the NNPC and a consortium of international lenders, the AKK gas pipeline project is expected to be completed by July 2024.