Dare Babalola
The NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a subsidiary of NNPC Limited, has successfully completed the River Niger crossing of the 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s national gas transmission expansion project.
The achievement, executed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger riverbed, was delivered through advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology by the project team in collaboration with PCE Nig. Limited.
According to a statement on Thursday by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Limited, the development unlocks the full capacity of the OB3 pipeline, which is designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.
The pipeline is expected to strengthen domestic gas supply, improve energy reliability, and boost industrial and power generation activities across the country.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the completion as a defining moment for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure, attributing the success to disciplined execution and technical expertise.
“The completion of the OB3 River Niger Crossing is a defining milestone for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure and a clear demonstration of what disciplined execution and sustained commitment to excellence can deliver,” Ojulari said.
“By successfully traversing one of the most technically challenging sections of the project, we have unlocked a critical link that will enhance gas supply reliability, deepen domestic utilisation, and support power generation and industrial growth across the country.”
He noted that the project builds on lessons and capacity gained from the successful Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) River Niger crossing completed in June 2025, describing the OB3 feat as an advancement in engineering execution under difficult terrain.
According to him, the milestone was achieved through strengthened project governance, innovative engineering solutions, and collaboration with contractors.
Ojulari also commended the Federal Government for its support, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, noting that its Gas-to-Prosperity agenda created an enabling environment for the project’s success.
“We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the Federal Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Gas-to-Prosperity agenda and commitment to a conducive business environment have been instrumental in making this achievement possible,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role of the NNPC Limited Board of Directors, led by Chairman Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, as well as the contributions of host communities and project partners.
The OB3 pipeline is a critical component of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure master plan, designed to link the Eastern gas network with the Western system while extending connectivity toward the Northern corridor via the AKK pipeline.
NNPC said the successful crossing will immediately unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet of incremental gas supply for the domestic market, with expected benefits for electricity generation, industrial expansion, and regional gas trade.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Nigeria’s energy infrastructure and translating hydrocarbon resources into improved economic growth and living standards.
