By Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project is now 72% complete.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Bayo Ojulari, shared this on Tuesday at the 2025 Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) in Abuja. He was represented by Mr Udobong Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream. Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to using technology and local content to advance Nigeria’s energy transition.
“In alignment with Nigeria’s energy transition plan, which seeks to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, NNPC Limited has initiated several gas-led transition programmes, including the expansion of our autogas programme targeting over one million vehicles through 2026, the completion of critical backbone infrastructure such as the AKK pipeline, which is about 72 percent complete as we speak, first quarter 2025, and also the planned integration of green hydrogen feasibility studies into long-term strategy,” he stated.
He stressed that energy security for Nigeria’s 200 million-plus population is vital. “Let me emphasis energy security for over 200 million Nigerians,” he said. “In full adoption of these impressive imperatives, NNPC Limited as an energy company plays a key role in the power sector.” Projects include the 1-gigawatt BiIPP-JV phases one and two, 650 megawatts from the FarmJV, and a 50-megawatt emergency power plant in Maiduguri.
Ojulari highlighted technology’s role. “When I was on the other side of the aisle working with ExxonMobil decades ago and then crossed over to NNPC, I observed firsthand how the focus on technology is blurring the lines between international and national oil companies,” he said. “Partnerships across the board, vendors, consultants, operators, are working together to elevate Nigeria’s standing as a dominant energy player.”
He noted that NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) uses real-time reservoir monitoring, AI-driven subsurface imaging, and predictive maintenance to boost efficiency. He also praised the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as a “historic milestone” that made NNPC a competitive global entity.
Ojulari emphasised local content. He said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGIC) Act has driven over $10 billion in local value since 2020, with many project components now sourced in Nigeria. “Energy transition is not a story, it is a global necessity. But its pathways must be shaped by local realities. Africa cannot afford a transition that leaves its people in the dark,” he added.
Engr Amina Danmadami, Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, spoke earlier. “This year’s theme, ‘Driving Energy Sustainability Through Technology, Policy, and Supply Chain Excellence,’ reflects our reality,” she said.
“While the world pivots to renewables, oil and gas remain central to Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security. Our task is to optimise, not replace, the sector.” She urged stronger PIA enforcement and supply chain investment.
Alhaji Ahmad Aminu, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), represented by Mrs Ifeoma Nwokike, reaffirmed PTDF’s support for innovation. “This year’s theme aligns with PTDF’s mission,” she said. “As an agency mandated to build capacity for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, we understand how critical policy, technology, and resilient supply chains are to energy security.”