The Federal Government has commenced training youths in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion, as part of efforts to empower Nigerian youth and reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuels.

Led by Hon. Titilope Gbadamosi, Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives, and Mr. Joseph Osanipin, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), a two-day event tagged “Harnessing Youth Potentials and Career Prospects in the Nigerian Automotive Sector with a Focus on the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Value Chain” commenced on September 11th and 12th, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

The event highlighted the environmental and economic advantages of CNG technology, including reduced emissions, lower environmental impact, and cost savings.

Nigeria’s acquisition of over 3,000 CNG buses was showcased as a significant move towards sustainable public transportation, with future plans for further expansion and infrastructure development.

According to Hon. Gbadamosi, the Office of Youth Initiatives is committed to preparing young Nigerians for career opportunities in the CNG sector. She emphasized the importance of harnessing local expertise in CNG technology, stressing that this would not only create jobs but also reduce the country’s reliance on foreign experts.

Keynote addresses were delivered by notable figures including Hon. Sunday Dare, former Minister of Youth and Sports; Engr. Ayo Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development; Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE); and Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, Director General of NADDC.

The speakers underscored the importance of robust regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, quality, and reliability in CNG conversions.

They also discussed career paths in vehicle conversions, cylinder installation, fueling station development, and supply chain management, presenting CNG as a promising sector for entrepreneurship and employment.

On the second day of the event, technical sessions led by industry experts explored the role of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) in developing and enforcing standards in CNG conversion.

The discussions stressed the need for collaboration between educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and government agencies to keep young professionals updated with the latest CNG technologies.

In a remarkable demonstration of the event’s impact, a participating youth received an on-the-spot job offer from a leading CNG conversion company.

Hon. Sunday Dare and Ayo Olawande emphasised the potential for youth-driven career development and business ventures in this growing industry. They urged young Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the CNG sector.

In her remarks,  Gbadamosi reaffirmed her office’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian youth are well-prepared for the growing CNG industry.

With appropriate training, adherence to regulatory standards, and sector-wide collaboration, Nigeria’s transition to CNG could reduce reliance on imported fuels and create sustainable economic opportunities for the nation’s youth.

The event was attended by key government dignitaries and private sector experts, who highlighted the need for public-private collaboration to build a robust CNG ecosystem. Government officials underscored supportive policies, while private sector leaders provided insights into technical standards and requirements for successful CNG conversions.