NNPCL to Open AKK Gas Valve July 2026

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially confirmed its readiness to supply the Portland Gas Limited Mini LNG/LCNG Station in Gwagwalada, Abuja, via the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline.
In a major development for the nation’s energy sector, the state-owned oil firm disclosed that the first valve of the landmark AKK project is scheduled to open in Gwagwalada in July 2026, marking a critical step in the delivery of gas to Northern Nigeria.
During a stakeholders’ workshop focused on emerging investment opportunities, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Power, Gas, and New Energy, emphasized that the project represents more than just infrastructure.
Represented by Business Development Manager Mr. Kachalla Suleiman, he stated that the opening of the valve will serve as a catalyst for productivity, industrial growth, and economic renewal. The Gwagwalada station, which is expected to be completed within the next 12 to 16 months, is positioned as a strategic pioneer along the AKK corridor, with NNPC committed to fueling its operations.
The Ajaokuta-Gwagwalada segment of the pipeline is projected to be the first to flow gas, effectively linking Northern industrial zones to southern gas fields.
This structural shift is designed to address national energy deficits by unlocking Northern industrial demand, enabling competitive power generation, and driving growth in the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the infrastructure will support the expansion of Auto-CNG and Mini-LNG, creating significant employment opportunities across the entire energy value chain.
Gwagwalada was strategically selected for the station due to its location at a major transport intersection linking Kogi State with key northern hubs.
This positioning makes it a logistics and commercial nerve center, catering to transport fleets, haulage companies, manufacturing SMEs, and agro-processing clusters.
The Mini-LNG/L-CNG station will provide a viable alternative to diesel, strengthening energy resilience while providing a modular and scalable solution that can expand alongside market demand, thereby reducing capital risk for investors.
Engr. Folajimi Mohammed, CEO of Portland Gas Limited, reiterated that the station is pivotal to Nigeria’s economic transformation, focusing on making clean and reliable energy a reality.
Supporting this vision, the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, noted that the project transitions Nigeria from planning to execution. He highlighted that while the country possesses the necessary gas reserves and reform momentum, the ultimate success of the transition depends on disciplined execution to move from potential to performance.