The Lagos State Government has flagged off a one-month intensive training programme on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion for 500 polytechnic students across the South-West, signalling a strong push toward cleaner energy and youth empowerment.
The training programme was unveiled at a ceremony held at Yaba College of Technology, with the attendance of government officials, industry leaders, and educational stakeholders. It is themed “The Future of CNG in Nigeria: Empowering a Sustainable Tomorrow.”
The initiative is being driven by the Mojisola Olayinka Fatungase Oedema Foundation, in partnership with the South-West Zone of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and is supported by the Lagos State Government and private industry players.
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, in his address, highlighted the importance of the programme, stating that CNG is a cleaner and cost-effective alternative to petrol and diesel. He said the project aligns with Nigeria’s climate action goals and will give students vital hands-on experience in an emerging sector.
“This programme is a strategic initiative that not only promotes sustainable energy practices but also equips the next generation of engineers with critical hands-on experience,” Osiyemi said. He lauded the organisers for their vision and urged the participating students to seize the opportunity, noting that top industry experts would be facilitating the sessions and participants would receive certification upon completion.
In her keynote speech, Funmilade Akingbagbohun, the immediate past National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, described the training as a dual-impact project that supports both environmental sustainability and youth empowerment.
According to her, CNG offers a cost-effective solution to fuel dependency and a sustainable path toward reducing the nation’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
“By equipping 500 polytechnic students with specialised skills in CNG technology, we are not just training technicians; we are nurturing pioneers of a sustainable energy future,” Akingbagbohun declared.
The programme is also in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s CNG initiative, which seeks to mainstream natural gas as an alternative fuel in response to rising petrol prices and climate change concerns.
The Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Bolanle Ogunlola, issued the official statement on Thursday, affirming the government’s commitment to renewable and sustainable energy practices through education and skill development.
The CNG training programme will expose students to the technical, environmental, and economic dimensions of CNG technology, including conversion of vehicles from petrol to CNG, maintenance practices, and energy management systems.
Stakeholders hope the programme will not only help reduce Nigeria’s carbon emissions but also create employment opportunities for skilled technicians in the green energy space.
With this launch, Lagos and its partners are laying a strong foundation for a cleaner, tech-savvy, and economically empowered generation of Nigerian youth.
