AKK pipeline: NNPC, Oilserv celebrate 31m man-hours, mainline welding completion
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, has lauded the engineering teams behind the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project for achieving a historic milestone of 31 million man-hours.
Engr. Ojulari gave the commendation during a strategic inspection tour of the project’s starting point, accompanied by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
The visit highlighted the project's accelerated progress, specifically celebrating the timely completion of the Mainline Welding and Associated Works segment.
Describing the 614km pipeline as a "tangible legacy," the NNPC GCEO emphasized that the milestone underscores the current administration’s resolve to utilize gas as a transition fuel for sustainable prosperity.
"I commend the dedicated team whose 31 million man-hours are building a tangible legacy. The AKK Pipeline is a cornerstone of our industrial heritage and a deliberate pivot toward a future of resurgence. By harnessing gas as our transition fuel, we are laying the foundation for sustainable prosperity and declaring our readiness to power our own destiny," Ojulari stated.
He further reiterated the federal government's unwavering commitment to the project's delivery, noting that the infrastructure serves as the backbone of Nigeria’s future economic vitality.
"Let me be unequivocal: this administration is unwavering in delivering this project on time. As the Honourable Minister rightly stated, this infrastructure is far more than a pipeline it is the backbone of our future economic vitality. Upon completion, it will unlock unprecedented opportunities, power our industries, energise our communities, and propel Nigeria into a new era of energy security and industrial growth," he added.
In his remarks, the Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv Group, Dr. Engr. Emeka Okwuosa, attributed the safety and construction milestones to the discipline and professionalism of the project management teams.
He specially recognized the leadership of Engr. Gbola Adeniyi and the contributions of subcontractors including Bradama, OMSC, and SCNL.
"It is a clear testament to what disciplined collaboration and professionalism can accomplish on a project of national importance. As the AKK project continues to take shape, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of excellence, fully committed to delivering infrastructure that strengthens Nigeria’s energy future," Okwuosa said.
The project has also recorded significant technical feats, including the successful crossing of the River Niger using the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technique. With the mainline welding completed, stakeholders are optimistic about meeting the revised completion target of Q1 2026.