The Group Chief Government Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, has mentioned the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gasoline pipeline is predicted to be activated for export in early 2026.
Ojulari disclosed this following a current inspection tour of the undertaking by the Minister of State for Petroleum Assets (Gasoline), Ekperikpe Ekpo, alongside NNPCL executives, together with the corporate’s Government Vice President for Gasoline, Energy and New Vitality, Olalekan Ogunleye.
Talking after briefing President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, the GCEO mentioned NNPC had accomplished welding of the pipeline’s foremost line, together with the River Niger crossing, a long-standing technical problem that had delayed progress on the undertaking.
He mentioned the achievement had paved the way in which for connecting the pipeline early subsequent yr.
“We’ve been capable of full the welding of the primary line of the AKK pipeline. In summer time, we have been capable of cross the River Niger, which was a battle for a few years. With its completion, we will begin making all of the connections early subsequent yr,” the NNPCL boss mentioned.
In line with Ojulari, as soon as activated, the pipeline will ship gasoline throughout northern Nigeria, supporting industrial and financial actions.
“This isn’t nearly power,” he mentioned. “It’s about industrialisation—fertiliser crops, energy era, and gas-based industries in Kaduna, Kano, Abuja and Ajaokuta. We anticipate to see industrial parks spring up.”
Ojulari additionally outlined NNPC’s manufacturing targets, noting that oil output is projected to rise to 1.8 million barrels per day in 2026 from about 1.7 million barrels per day this yr, whereas gasoline manufacturing is predicted to proceed rising.
He attributed NNPC’s improved operational outlook to reforms launched beneath the Petroleum Business Act, which, he mentioned, had repositioned the corporate as a commercially pushed entity working with out reliance on federal allocations.
Ojulari added that President Tinubu had reaffirmed his administration’s purpose of attracting $30 billion in new investments by 2030 and elevating oil manufacturing to 2 million barrels per day by 2027.
He mentioned the completion of the AKK pipeline community would broaden financial alternatives, improve energy provide and help nationwide industrialisation efforts, contributing to improved power and financial safety.
The AKK pipeline, first conceived in 2008, is a key element of Nigeria’s technique to harness its gasoline sources to drive financial development.
The undertaking is predicted to considerably enhance power entry in northern Nigeria, the place persistent energy shortages and weak infrastructure have constrained industrial improvement for many years.
