Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPCL), is executing a number of gas evacuation measures specifically targeting Europe and other West African markets to as the country’s gas commercialization initiative takes center stage in Governments energy transition, energy security policy.
Nigeria currently holds vast natural gas reserves with the potential to transform its economy and strengthen regional energy security.
The Company, is significantly driving this agenda through major gas infrastructure projects that connect domestic markets to West Africa and Europe, with expansion of gas processing and transportation networks, upgrading refining capacity and improving upstream sustainability.
The company is positioning itself as an integrated energy player with growing investments in gas and power.
A core component of this strategy involves pipeline development particularly with the US$2.8 billion Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipeline which will supply industries and power plants across northern Nigeria. Construction reached a milestone in 2025 with the completion of the River Niger crossing, and NNPC expects activation for export flows in early 2026.
Nationwide integration will also benefit from the Obiafu–Obrikom–Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, which links eastern gas fields to western demand centres. Together, AKK and OB3 will support gas-to-power growth, reduce diesel reliance and stimulate industrial activity.
Beyond domestic supply, NNPC is advancing two international corridors: the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) and the proposed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline. The NMGP spans 13 West African states and aims to extend existing West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) capacity toward Europe. Feasibility work also began in 2017 under a US$25 billion cost estimate and a staged 25-year development plan. Morocco has continued diplomatic engagement to advance the project.
Momentum increased during the 2025 ADIPEC conference in Abu Dhabi, where NNPC Group CEO Bashir Ojulari highlighted the NMGP as a continental priority. He said the pipeline would enable cross-border gas supply, industrial development and long-term access to European markets. In his view, the project will also enable African states with smaller reserves to link into shared infrastructure and benefit from regional value creation.
NNPC is complementing export pipelines with domestic programmes such as compressed natural gas (CNG) for transport and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) for households. Ojulari said these efforts support cleaner energy consumption and reduce biomass dependence.
After a recent AKK inspection, Ojulari confirmed full welding of the mainline, including complex water crossings. That achievement clears the way for final connections and commissioning, as he stressed that AKK will underpin new industrial parks, fertiliser plants and gas-based industries in Kaduna, Kano, Abuja and Ajaokuta.
He also pointed to reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act as a turning point for the company’s commercial performance.
The legislation allows NNPCL to operate without federal budget support and strengthens its investment posture.
Executive Vice President Udy Ntia said NNPCL is shifting toward co-investment models to accelerate project timelines and attract capital. He described a new partnership philosophy between national and international oil companies, focused on shared profitability and sustainable growth.
Nigeria views gas as its foundation for industrialisation, energy security and climate-aligned development. Cleaner gas usage reduces emissions, powers industries and creates jobs while strengthening national and regional energy systems.