CNG Transition: Pi-CNG & EV Chairman Urges Investment in Local Skills, Safety Standards

By GTNews The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barr. ...

By GTNews The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, OON, has called for greater investment in local technical skills as Nigeria intensifies efforts to expand the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) ecosystem across the country. Ahmed made the call at the opening ceremony of the CNG Retrofitting Training Programme organised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The programme is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the technical skills required to retrofit, maintain and safely operate CNG-powered vehicles. Speaking at the event, Ahmed said the success of Nigeria's CNG transition could not be achieved through the provision of conversion kits, refuelling stations and incentives alone, stressing that skilled personnel were equally essential to the sustainability of the programme. According to him, technicians are needed to properly install conversion kits, inspect vehicles and maintain CNG systems, making skills development a critical component of the country's transition to cleaner and more affordable transportation. "We have spoken a great deal about Nigeria's transition to CNG. We have talked about the economics of it, the infrastructure required and the benefits to Nigerians. But none of this can work at the scale we want without people who have the skills to do the work," Ahmed said. He emphasised that safety must remain a priority as the CNG ecosystem continues to expand, warning that poorly executed conversions could affect not only individual vehicle owners but also public confidence in the entire CNG programme.

Ahmed noted that Nigeria's CNG ecosystem had witnessed significant growth over the past two years, with more conversion centres and refuelling infrastructure being developed, while more Nigerians were showing interest in converting their vehicles to CNG. He said the growth had created a corresponding demand for skilled workers, stressing that Nigerians must be positioned to take advantage of the emerging opportunities. "We should not build an industry where the technology comes in and the skills required to maintain it remain somewhere else. If we are serious about developing a sustainable CNG industry in Nigeria, then local capacity has to grow at the same pace as the infrastructure," he said. The Pi-CNG & EV Chairman also highlighted the potential of the NYSC platform in preparing young Nigerians for emerging opportunities in the CNG sector. He said participants who successfully complete the training should not be viewed merely as recipients of certificates but as potential technicians, entrepreneurs and future operators within the growing CNG value chain. "The CNG industry is one of the new areas where those opportunities are emerging," Ahmed said. He explained that trained participants could secure employment in CNG conversion centres, acquire the experience needed to establish their own businesses and contribute to the development of Nigeria's automotive and clean mobility sector. Ahmed further disclosed that Pi-CNG & EV is part of the Technical Working Group supporting the programme, noting that the initiative aligns with the broader objective of developing an enabling environment for CNG and electric mobility to thrive in Nigeria. He said the Initiative's responsibilities include supporting the development of infrastructure, investment, standards, skills and public confidence in the country's transition to cleaner mobility. The Executive Chairman commended NADDC and NYSC for moving from the signing of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May to the implementation of the training programme. According to him, the partnership is expected to help build a pipeline of trained CNG technicians, strengthen safety and operational standards, and create economic opportunities for young Nigerians. Ahmed urged the participants to take the training seriously and focus not only on obtaining certificates but also on gaining practical knowledge and understanding of CNG technology and safety requirements. "Don't just learn enough to pass an assessment or receive a certificate. Understand the technology. Understand the safety requirements. Ask questions. Get as much practical experience as you can," he advised. He assured that Pi-CNG & EV would continue to support partnerships that promote skills development and create opportunities for Nigerians across the CNG and electric mobility value chain. He congratulated NADDC and NYSC on the commencement of the programme and wished the participants a productive training session.