The Lagos State Government has partnered with key stakeholders in energy, transport, and education to launch a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion training programme for 500 polytechnic students from South-West Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday in Lagos, was organised by the Mofe Foundation in collaboration with the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS). It aims to close the skills gap in the CNG sector while promoting cleaner energy alternatives and preparing a new generation of technicians and engineers for Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
Speakers at the event emphasised the country’s vast natural gas reserves, urging a shift towards cleaner, safer, and more affordable alternatives to petrol to boost energy security and reduce environmental impact.
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, revealed that the state is constructing 17 new CNG filling stations through its investment arm, IBILE Holdings, with completion targeted for October 2025.
“We are carrying out vehicle conversions and constructing 17 filling stations to ensure wide access to CNG,” Osiyemi stated. He noted that the programme would increase employment prospects for students and help reduce transport costs by up to 70 per cent, easing the impact of subsidy removal.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Biodun Ogunleye represented by Mr Aileru Tajudeen outlined the environmental benefits of CNG, calling it “cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable than traditional fossil fuels.” He lauded the training for fostering industry-academia collaboration and creating pathways for economic transformation.
A cross section of some attendees
Similarly, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, represented by Lagos State Youth Ambassador Obadare Adenekan, said the training aligned with the ministry’s youth empowerment strategy and recognised the potential of young people to drive national development.
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NAPS South-West Coordinator, Mr Johnson Obasanya, expressed optimism that the initiative would address youth unemployment, adding that the training would be sustained and expanded.
Convener of the Mofe Foundation and former Chair of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Dr Funmilade Akingbagbohun, described the CNG transition as a crucial step for Nigeria’s transport and industrial sectors.
“CNG is not merely an alternative it is a catalyst for transformation,” she said, calling for training centres to be established nationwide. She stressed the importance of safety, proper installation, and technical design, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to equipping students with the necessary expertise.
Technical Director of Verde Dynamo CNG, Mr Babafemi Oluwaseun, delivered a lecture on The Future of CNG in Nigeria: Empowering a Sustainable Tomorrow. He shared practical safety advice and underscored the role of CNG in national development, as his firm volunteered to provide training for the students.
