By Adeola Badru 

The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) retrofitting training into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, in a move aimed at tackling youth unemployment and accelerating Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.

The agreement was signed, weekend, at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, with stakeholders from the youth, automotive and energy sectors in attendance.

The initiative is being championed by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring & Delivery) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the NYSC, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi).

Speaking during the ceremony, the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring & Delivery), Dr Titilope Gbadamosi, described the programme as a strategic intervention designed to position Nigerian youths within the country’s emerging green economy.

She said the initiative would provide corps members with practical training in CNG vehicle conversion, maintenance and safety, while also creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within the expanding alternative energy sector.

According to her, the programme aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, economic diversification, innovation and sustainable energy transition.

Gbadamosi noted that the growing adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel source had become increasingly significant following the removal of fuel subsidy, adding that the programme would help bridge the shortage of certified CNG technicians nationwide.

“The integration of this training into the NYSC SAED programme creates a structured national platform for empowering young Nigerians with relevant technical competencies that are both future-focused and economically viable,” she said.

In his remark, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Joseph Osanipin, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing technical leadership, curriculum development, certification standards and funding support for the programme.

Similarly, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described the initiative as a timely and innovative addition to the SAED programme.

He stated that the NYSC’s nationwide structure and orientation camp network would provide an effective platform for implementation and ensure nationwide impact.

Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the collaboration among the participating agencies and stressed the need to align youth development initiatives with prevailing economic realities and emerging industrial opportunities.

He said the initiative demonstrated how inter-agency collaboration could create sustainable opportunities for young Nigerians while advancing national development priorities.

The MoU outlined the responsibilities of participating institutions, implementation timelines, curriculum framework, pilot rollout strategy, monitoring mechanisms and certification structure for the programme.

As part of the implementation framework, a Joint Implementation Committee will supervise programme delivery, pilot deployment, training standards and nationwide expansion.

Under the terms of the agreement, selected corps members, especially those with backgrounds in mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, as well as auto mechanics, will undergo structured technical training in CNG retrofitting during their service year.

The programme will also offer certification pathways, internship placements and post-service industry linkages through partnerships with accredited CNG conversion centres and automotive stakeholders.