FG Moves To Create Green Jobs for Youths Through CNG, EV Skills Partnership

Maryam Aminu

In a major push to prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in the fast-growing clean energy economy, the Federal Government has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EV) to train youths in CNG retrofitting and clean energy technologies.

The partnership, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abuja on Friday, is expected to equip corps members and other young Nigerians with practical technical skills in CNG conversion, maintenance, and emerging automotive technologies aimed at boosting employment and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to position Nigerian youths at the centre of the country’s transition to cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.

According to him, the collaboration aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda on job creation, technical innovation, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

“This collaboration goes beyond signing documents. It is about creating jobs, building skills, and preparing Nigerian youths for emerging opportunities within the evolving economy,” the minister said.

Olawande noted that with the government intensifying the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to conventional fuel, the demand for skilled manpower in the sector would continue to grow.

He stressed that Nigerian youths must be adequately prepared to take advantage of opportunities within the clean energy and automotive industries rather than being sidelined by global technological shifts.

Under the arrangement, corps members participating in the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme will receive hands-on training in CNG conversion and maintenance, with the goal of enhancing employability, entrepreneurship, and financial independence.

The Minister commended the NYSC, NADDC, and Pi-CNG for expanding access to technical and vocational opportunities for young Nigerians across the country.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Anthony Chukwuka, described the initiative as a timely intervention that would strengthen institutional collaboration and improve youth-focused policy implementation.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to expanding the SAED programme to provide corps members with practical technical exposure and entrepreneurial capacity.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, said the collaboration would help accelerate local automotive innovation while building the skilled workforce required for Nigeria’s clean energy mobility transition.

Chairman of Pi-CNG and EV, Ismaeel Ahmed, represented by Special Assistant Omo Imoukhuede, said the initiative would deepen CNG adoption and electric vehicle integration while creating sustainable green jobs for Nigerian youths.

The Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring and Delivery), Titilope Gbadamosi, also assured stakeholders of effective monitoring and implementation of youth-focused programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda.