– Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State
InsideOut Media Hub can authoritatively report that the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Youth Initiatives, Dr. Titilope Gbadamosi, has led the extension of the Federal Government’s CNG Retrofitting Training Programme to Lagos State, further expanding the initiative designed to equip Nigerian youths with practical and industry relevant skills.
The Lagos flag off follows the successful commencement of the programme in the Federal Capital Territory, Kano and Adamawa States, with the intervention being implemented through a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The programme is targeted at training 300 corps members across six states, with 50 participants drawn from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Through intensive practical training, the selected corps members will acquire hands on expertise in CNG conversion technology, preparing them to participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s growing CNG ecosystem while opening new pathways for employment, entrepreneurship and technical career development.
Speaking during the Lagos flag off, Dr. Gbadamosi reaffirmed the importance of investing in practical skills that connect young Nigerians directly to emerging sectors of the economy.
She noted that the initiative reflects a deliberate commitment by the Federal Government to move beyond conventional youth empowerment programmes by providing beneficiaries with technical competencies that can translate into real economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, InsideOut Media Hub correspondent who interacted with some of the beneficiaries of the programme reports that participants have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely opportunity to translate their academic knowledge into practical industry experience.
Several of the beneficiaries have academic backgrounds in fields including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering and other related disciplines, giving them a strong foundation to understand and adapt to the technical demands of CNG conversion technology.
Speaking on the significance of the training, the beneficiaries expressed optimism that the programme would expose them to a new area of specialisation while broadening their professional opportunities beyond conventional career pathways.
One of the participants noted that the training would provide an opportunity to complement classroom knowledge with practical experience, describing the programme as a bridge between academic learning and real world industry application.
Another beneficiary expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the programme could position participants for emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving automotive and energy sectors, particularly as CNG adoption continues to gain attention.
For others, the programme represents more than just a training opportunity, but a chance to acquire a specialised technical skill that could become a foundation for future employment, entrepreneurship and professional advancement.
The beneficiaries also commended the Federal Government and its implementing partners for deliberately involving young graduates and corps members in the emerging CNG ecosystem, stressing that early exposure to the technology could give them a competitive advantage as the sector develops.
The Lagos training therefore provides an opportunity for participants with existing engineering and technical backgrounds to deepen their competencies, acquire practical expertise and potentially explore new professional pathways in CNG conversion, automotive technology, energy and related industries.
The expansion of the programme to Lagos represents another step towards strengthening Nigeria’s technical workforce in support of the country’s evolving transportation and energy landscape.
Dr. Gbadamosi commended the NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, for her exceptional leadership and commitment to ensuring the seamless implementation of the programme.
She equally appreciated Hon. Alabi Abdullahi Opeyemi, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Youth Mobilisation, for the warm reception, effective coordination and collaborative support that contributed to the success of the Lagos engagement.
With Lagos now joining the growing list of participating states, the initiative continues to underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with practical skills capable of opening new doors of opportunity and strengthening the country’s emerging automotive, transportation and energy ecosystem.
