By Onilede Titi Faith
In a significant breakthrough for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure development, the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline has successfully crossed the River Niger.
This major engineering achievement was announced on June 26, 2025, and marks a crucial step forward in the construction of the strategic gas corridor.
The crossing was executed by Oilserv Limited, the contractor handling Section A of the project, using advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling technology.
This method enabled the team to drill beneath the river without disrupting its ecosystem, overcoming challenges posed by the river’s depth and complex geology.
The River Niger crossing had been one of the most difficult phases of the project and a key source of delay.
Its successful completion eliminates a major hurdle and is expected to speed up work on the remaining sections.
Spanning approximately 614 kilometers, the AKK pipeline is a central component of Nigeria’s Gas Master Plan.
It is designed to transport up to 3.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the gas-rich south to the industrial and power hubs of the north.
This will support electricity generation, stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a significant player in both regional and continental gas markets.
The pipeline is also intended to connect with the future Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, enabling gas exports to Europe and expanding Nigeria’s influence in the global energy sector.
Officials report that the AKK project is now about 72 percent complete, with the River Niger crossing having been one of the last major technical challenges.
This development is regarded as a major boost to Nigeria’s efforts at economic diversification and energy transition, promising long-term benefits for domestic industries and international partnerships alike.
