Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria is set to begin gas delivery to its capital city through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline by July 2026.
This marks a significant step forward for the $2.8 billion USD project, which has been delayed for years but is now reportedly over 90 percent complete. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) confirmed the updated timeline.
The AKK pipeline is a cornerstone of the country’s gas development strategy, intended to connect gas-rich southern regions with industrial demand centers in the north. According to Okay News, this infrastructure is critical for powering industries and reducing the nation’s heavy reliance on more expensive diesel and fuel oil. The successful operation of the pipeline is expected to unlock significant industrial growth and support the transition to a gas-based economy.
First conceived in 2008, the ambitious project has a long history of missed deadlines. Initial completion was targeted for 2023, and later timelines were shifted multiple times throughout 2023, 2024, and early 2025. These repeated delays were caused by a combination of funding constraints and significant technical hurdles, making the new July target a crucial test of the project’s execution.
Construction on the 614-kilometre pipeline officially began in 2020. A major challenge involved the complex crossing of the River Niger, which required advanced horizontal directional drilling techniques. The project’s financing is structured as a mix of debt and equity, with Chinese lenders providing approximately $2.59 billion USD and the Nigerian Gas Company contributing the remaining equity.
When operational, the AKK pipeline will transport over 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day. This gas will primarily be sourced from southern production areas and linked through other key infrastructure like the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline. Ultimately, the project aims to create a reliable energy corridor that strengthens the national grid and provides a more stable power supply for economic development across Northern Nigeria.
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