Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy 300 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion centres across the country after completing a specialised training and certification programme.
The initiative was unveiled on Wednesday during the opening of the CNG Retrofitting Training Programme for corps members at the NYSC Federal Capital Territory Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives, Monitoring and Delivery, Dr Titilope Gbadamosi, said the programme would be implemented across the six geopolitical zones as part of efforts to equip young Nigerians with skills needed in the country’s transition to CNG-powered transportation.
According to her, the programme is designed to support the national target of retrofitting 100,000 vehicles annually.
She said, “Following the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2033, compressed natural gas (CNG) emerged as the most viable and affordable alternative for Nigerian motorists and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu set a national target of 100,000 vehicles to be retrofitted annually.
“The National Automotive and Development Council (NADD) has committed its technical authority in certification standard and full funding to this effort.”
Gbadamosi added that “300 corps members would be trained and certified as technicians and attached to different CNG centres.”
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the programme would create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for corps members beyond their service year.
He urged participants to take advantage of the training and use the acquired skills to complement their academic qualifications while promoting affordable and sustainable energy solutions.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described the initiative as a product of effective collaboration among government agencies and a step towards strengthening youth participation in the country’s energy transition efforts.
Nafiu noted that the NYSC had trained more than three million corps members in various vocational and entrepreneurial skills since 2012, adding that the scheme remained committed to supporting programmes that bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical industry experience.
“The CNG retrofitting training supports the one trillion dollar innovation driven economy. This carefully selected programme would bridge the gap between classroom learning and real world applications.
“The NYSC is ready and open for business, together we can build a robust innovative and economy, powered by the energy, ingenuity and enterprise of our vibrant youth population.” He said
