Nigeria’s state-owned energy company, NNPC Limited, has announced fresh investment opportunities along the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline as the massive gas project moves closer to completion.
The company revealed that the 614-kilometre pipeline has now reached Abuja and will be commissioned in phases before the end of the year. The update was shared during an investment forum held at the Government House in Minna, Niger State, where government officials and private investors gathered to discuss the project’s economic potential.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energy at NNPC, Olalekan Ogunleye, said construction work has made significant progress. According to him, the pipeline section leading to Kano has already been completed, while work on the portion passing through Niger State is expected to finish before the end of the year.
The AKK Gas Pipeline stretches from Kogi State through Niger and Kaduna before ending in Kano. It is one of Nigeria’s biggest gas infrastructure projects and is expected to improve the supply of natural gas to homes, industries, and businesses across northern Nigeria.
NNPC explained that the project is not only about transporting gas but also creating new business opportunities. The company encouraged private investors to take advantage of the pipeline by establishing compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations, fertiliser production plants, petrochemical industries, agro-processing factories, and other gas-powered businesses along the route.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago also announced plans to support industrial development around the pipeline. He disclosed that the state government has set aside a 1,000-square-kilometre Industrial Development Park located along the AKK corridor.
According to the governor, the industrial park will benefit from multiple energy sources, including natural gas from the pipeline, hydroelectric power, and solar energy. He expressed confidence that the combination of reliable energy and available land would attract local and foreign investors seeking to establish manufacturing and industrial facilities.
Officials at the investment forum said the pipeline could play a major role in boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and expanding the use of cleaner energy across northern Nigeria. Increased adoption of compressed natural gas is also expected to lower transportation costs and reduce dependence on more expensive fuel sources.
Although NNPC highlighted several investment opportunities, the company did not provide specific dates for the rollout of CNG filling stations, vehicle conversion programmes, or gas supply agreements with businesses.
The AKK pipeline project has experienced several delays over the years due to funding challenges, contractor disputes, and security concerns. As a result, investors and communities along the route are watching closely to see whether the latest progress will finally lead to increased gas supply, industrial development, and employment opportunities.
NNPC and the Niger State Government urged interested investors to begin submitting proposals for projects that can take advantage of the pipeline. While no official dates have been announced for the launch of individual industrial projects, officials believe the AKK pipeline will become a key driver of economic growth and industrialisation in northern Nigeria.
