JUST IN 🔥🔥 LAGOS STATE EMPOWERS 500 STUDENTS WITH HANDS-ON CNG CONVERSION TRAINING.
BY RICHMOND 🍯
In a bold move to champion clean energy and youth empowerment, the Lagos State Government has teamed up with key players in energy, transportation, and education to launch a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion training for 500 polytechnic students across the South-west.
The initiative, unveiled in Lagos on Wednesday, was spearheaded by Mofe Foundation in collaboration with the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS). It brought together young minds from various polytechnics across the region to tackle the pressing skills gap in Nigeria’s fast-growing CNG sector.
The training is strategically aimed at building capacity for sustainability, cutting down carbon emissions, and equipping the next generation of technicians and engineers for the future of Nigeria’s energy industry.
Stakeholders at the event spotlighted Nigeria’s rich natural gas reserves and emphasized the need for its economic and environmental exploitation. They noted that natural gas presents a safer and cleaner alternative to petrol, capable of supporting energy security and reducing operational costs nationwide.
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, affirmed the state’s commitment to the CNG transition. He revealed that through IBILE Holdings, 17 CNG filling stations are under construction and are set for completion by October 2025.
“We’re not just training—Lagos is building. Seventeen stations will be ready by October, and we’re making CNG accessible to everyone,” Mr. Osiyemi stated. He emphasized that the initiative will not only enhance the employability of students but also raise the number of certified professionals in the sector.
According to him, the conversion to CNG can slash transportation costs by as much as 70%, serving as a cushion for the public following fuel subsidy removal.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye—represented by Aileru Tajudeen—stressed the environmental value of CNG.
“CNG is our future. It’s cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable,” he said, while urging for its nationwide adoption. He also applauded the programme for connecting classroom knowledge with real-world industry needs.
Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, represented by Youth Ambassador Obadare Adenekan, described the training as a strategic step in unlocking youth potential for economic growth and social advancement.
South-west NAPS Coordinator, Johnson Obasanya, welcomed the initiative as a timely solution to youth unemployment and promised that the programme would be sustained and expanded in the coming months.
Mofe Foundation Convener, Funmilade Akingbagbohun, in her keynote, called the CNG revolution a “catalyst for transformative change.” She urged other states to follow Lagos’ lead and invest in proper CNG training facilities to prevent poorly executed conversions that often lead to accidents.
“Our aim is not just training—it’s excellence. We want to equip students with the right skills to safely lead Nigeria’s transport and industrial evolution,” she said.
Comments
Post a Comment