The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has publicly backed a flagship mini‑LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and LCNG (Liquefied and Compressed Natural Gas) project being developed by Portland Gas Ltd in the Gwagwalada district of Abuja, in a move that energy experts say could significantly accelerate Nigeria’s transition toward a gas‑driven economy. The endorsement, confirmed on Friday, February 27, 2026, was made at an investment workshop convened to highlight expanding opportunities in Nigeria’s gas sector and was attended by key stakeholders from government, industry and development partners.
At the event, NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, indicated that the company would supply natural gas to the planned Mini‑LNG and LCNG facility from the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline once it is completed and commissioned — anticipated in July 2026. The AKK pipeline, a strategic midstream infrastructure project, is expected to unlock domestic gas utilisation across central and northern Nigeria, enhancing energy security and economic performance.
Ogunleye underscored that the growth of the compressed natural gas sector has already attracted significant private investment — surpassing $200 million — and that the development of modular mini‑LNG facilities represents a scalable way to leverage Nigeria’s vast gas reserves for transportation, industrial power, and energy‑intensive economic activities. By reducing dependence on diesel and petrol, he said, such projects support broader national objectives of foreign exchange conservation and reduced carbon emissions.
Strategically situated at the AKK pipeline’s Abuja take‑off node, the Portland Gas facility is expected to supply clean and cost‑effective energy to transport fleets, industrial clusters, agro‑processing firms, real estate developments, and small and medium‑sized enterprises. Suleiman Kachalla, NNPC’s Manager of Business Development, highlighted Gwagwalada’s logistical advantages as a transport hub linking multiple regional markets, reinforcing the project’s commercial viability and long‑term sustainability.
The Managing Director and CEO of Portland Gas, Folajimi Mohammed, reiterated his company’s commitment to advancing gas infrastructure development in Nigeria. He described the sector as “ripe for investment,” noting that expanded gas utilisation is key to achieving national industrialisation goals and unlocking economic opportunities across different parts of the country. Mohammed stressed the company’s focus on safety, efficiency and innovation as core principles guiding project execution.
Energy analysts say the endorsement of the Mini‑LNG/LCNG project reflects a broader policy shift in Nigeria toward a gas‑first energy strategy, aligned with the federal government’s Decade of Gas agenda. With proven gas reserves among the largest in Africa and a rapidly growing demand for cleaner, affordable energy solutions, the development of mini‑LNG infrastructure could help bridge existing supply gaps, accelerate industrial growth, and enhance the country’s competitiveness in regional energy markets.
In conjunction with the AKK pipeline’s expected first gas flow mid‑year and expanding conversion centres for CNG vehicles nationwide, the new Gwagwalada facility is seen as a concrete step toward creating a robust gas value chain that supports job creation, economic diversification, and improved energy access for both urban and rural consumers.