Engr. Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, announced that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project has reached 72% completion as of the end of the first quarter of 2025. This significant development, according to Ojulari, marks a major stride in Nigeria’s effort to bridge its energy infrastructure gap and harness the economic potential of natural gas.
Engr. Bayo Ojulari revealed this during the 2025 Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF), stating that the $2.8 billion project is pivotal to Nigeria’s national gas expansion blueprint. He emphasized that the AKK pipeline will facilitate industrialization, promote regional integration, and drive domestic energy access across Nigeria’s northern corridor.
OLEF 2025: A Launchpad for Strategic Energy Insights
Engr. Bayo Ojulari, represented by Engr. Udobong Ntia, the Executive Vice President of Upstream, used the platform of the 2025 OLEF to deliver his remarks on Nigeria’s evolving energy strategy. The forum, organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, brought together key stakeholders to explore pathways for sustainable energy development.
Engr. Bayo Ojulari stressed the significance of the conference’s theme, “Driving Energy Sustainability Through Technology, Policy, and Supply Chain Excellence,” as a timely call to action for both public and private sectors. He highlighted the need for synergy in technology deployment and policy enforcement to ensure the success of projects like the AKK pipeline.
Addressing Africa’s Electricity Crisis: A Call to Action
Engr. Bayo Ojulari drew attention to the alarming figure that over 600 million people across Africa still lack access to electricity. He described this as a daunting challenge, yet one filled with vast opportunities for investment, innovation, and long-term development.
Engr. Bayo Ojulari noted that Nigeria, with its abundant gas reserves and strategic positioning, must assume leadership in solving the continent’s power deficit. He emphasized that the AKK pipeline is not just a national project, but a continental game-changer capable of boosting power generation and economic activity throughout West Africa.
Oil and Gas Industry: Backbone of Nigeria’s Economic Stability
Engr. Bayo Ojulari reiterated that the oil and gas sector remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, accounting for more than 85% of export earnings and serving as the primary revenue generator for the government. He urged stakeholders to adopt a proactive stance in maximizing the country’s hydrocarbon wealth.
Engr. Bayo Ojulari stressed that beyond revenue, the industry must act as a catalyst for broader economic transformation by supporting downstream integration, creating jobs, and attracting foreign direct investments. Projects like the AKK pipeline, he said, represent the new frontier for unlocking Nigeria’s gas economy.
Petroleum Industry Act (PIA): Unlocking New Value for NNPC
Engr. Bayo Ojulari hailed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 as a landmark reform that has revolutionized the operational and financial framework of NNPC Limited. He pointed out that the PIA has transformed the company into a profit-driven, transparent entity capable of competing globally.
Engr. Bayo Ojulari reiterated that the oil and gas sector that this legislative shift has enabled NNPC to adopt international best practices, pursue commercial viability, and accelerate strategic infrastructure projects such as the AKK pipeline. The act, he said, has positioned NNPC to be more responsive to market dynamics and investor expectations.
Autogas and Net-Zero Targets: Building a Cleaner Future
Engr. Bayo Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2060. He announced that the company is expanding its Autogas initiative to convert over one million vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) by 2026.
Engr. Bayo Ojulari concluded that the AKK pipeline, alongside other strategic gas initiatives, will be the bedrock of Nigeria’s clean energy transformation. He called for continued collaboration between government, industry, and civil society to realize an energy-secure and environmentally sustainable Nigeria.
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