Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced a significant update that could herald a new era for energy supply in the nation’s capital. According to the regulator’s in-house publication, the much-anticipated Abuja gas supply via the AKK pipeline is now set to begin by July. This development, following years of delays, marks a crucial step towards a project initially envisioned in 2008.
The AKK pipeline, stretching over 614 kilometers, is designed to transport over 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day from Nigeria’s southern producing regions to key demand centers in the north, including Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano. Its completion is integral to the country’s plans to expand electricity generation, bolster industrial sectors, and diminish the reliance on diesel and fuel oil.
While cautious optimism is growing, this optimism is not without its roots in the project’s progress. Reuters, citing an energy lawyer involved with the AKK pipeline, reports that construction is now over 90% complete. The pipeline, a component of a broader strategy to unlock Nigeria’s substantial gas reserves, is a testament to the country’s largest gas reserves, estimated at over 210 trillion cubic feet.
The AKK pipeline is linked to the Obiafu — Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline, which delivers gas from the southern regions to the national network. Despite challenges, including funding constraints and the complex task of horizontal directional drilling beneath the River Niger, the project has shown resilience. Chinese lenders have provided significant financial backing, while the Nigerian Gas Company has contributed equity.
However, the history of missed deadlines looms large, casting a shadow over the project’s success. Previous timelines set for 2023, late 2023, and the first quarter of 2025 were all unsuccessful. The current July target is now a critical test for Nigeria’s ability to deliver large-scale energy infrastructure.
As part of the government’s “Decade of Gas “policy and the recent Gas Master Plan 2026, authorities are aiming to leverage gas as a catalyst for industrialization, enhance power supply, and stabilize the energy mix. For Africa’s largest gas holder, a successful AKK pipeline could transform energy accessibility in the north and reinforce investor confidence in the country’s gas expansion ambitions.
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Original author: Ayodeji Adegboyega
