As Nigeria intensifies efforts to deepen its clean energy transition and create sustainable jobs for young people, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of its Director-General, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, has unlocked a new pathway for youth empowerment and technical innovation as it drives President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s automotive and alternative energy agenda.
The council strengthened that commitment on Monday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at integrating Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) retrofitting training into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
The initiative, facilitated in collaboration with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring and Delivery), headed by Dr Titilope Gbadamosi, NYSC, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), is expected to equip corps members with practical technical skills in CNG vehicle conversion, maintenance and safety.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Abuja, Osanipin described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to prepare Nigerian youths for emerging opportunities within the country’s rapidly expanding clean energy and automotive sectors.
According to him, the programme represents another bold step toward building a technically skilled workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s transition to alternative fuel adoption following the removal of fuel subsidy.
“This initiative is not just about training young Nigerians in CNG conversion; it is about creating sustainable opportunities within an evolving automotive ecosystem that is increasingly shifting towards cleaner and more affordable energy solutions,” Osanipin said.
The NADDC boss noted that the council has continued to champion policies and programmes targeted at deepening local automotive capacity, supporting industrial growth and aligning the sector with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He added that the partnership would also help address the shortage of certified CNG technicians across the country while opening up entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for corps members after their service year.
Under the framework, selected corps members, especially those with backgrounds in mechanical engineering, electrical/electronic engineering and auto mechanics, will undergo structured technical training with opportunities for certification, internship placements and industry linkages through accredited conversion centres.
Osanipin further reaffirmed NADDC’s commitment to providing technical support, curriculum development and standardised certification processes to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.
Speaking at the signing, the Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu commended the initiative, describing it as a timely and innovative addition to the SAED programme.
According to him, NYSC’s nationwide structure and orientation camp network would provide an effective platform for implementation and nationwide impact
Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayo Olawande described the initiative as a strategic intervention that aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with practical, industry-driven skills, commending NADDC under the leadership of Osanipin for advancing innovative programmes capable of creating sustainable employment opportunities within the country’s evolving automotive and clean energy sectors.
In he remarks, Dr Gbadamosi noted that the programme would create a structured national platform for empowering young Nigerians with future-focused technical competencies within the alternative energy ecosystem.
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