The NNPC Limited has announced a major milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector with the successful completion of the River Niger crossing on the 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline.
The project, executed by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a subsidiary of the national oil company, marks a significant step in expanding Nigeria’s gas transmission network and strengthening energy distribution across the country.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the crossing—completed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger riverbed—was delivered using advanced horizontal directional drilling technology in collaboration with PCE Nig. Limited.
The achievement unlocks the full capacity of the OB3 pipeline, which is designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, enhancing supply reliability and supporting economic growth.
Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the feat as a defining moment for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.
He noted that overcoming the technical challenges of the River Niger crossing demonstrates the company’s growing engineering capability and commitment to delivering critical national projects.
Ojulari added that the milestone builds on previous successes, including the AKK pipeline crossing, and reflects the effectiveness of improved project governance, innovative engineering, and collaboration with technical partners.
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He also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the administration’s Gas-to-Prosperity agenda has played a key role in enabling the project.
The NNPC boss further commended the company’s Board of Directors, led by Chairman Ahmadu Musa Kida, as well as host communities and contractors, for their contributions to the successful execution of the project.
The OB3 pipeline serves as a critical link connecting Nigeria’s eastern and western gas networks while extending supply to the northern corridor through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline.
In the near term, the project is expected to unlock more than 500 million standard cubic feet of additional gas supply for the domestic market, supporting power generation, industrial expansion, and regional energy trade within West Africa.
NNPC Limited reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s oil and gas resources to drive economic development, improve energy access, and enhance the overall standard of living for citizens.