FG’s CNG attracts over $980 million investments, 20,000  CNG-power vehicles in Nigeria – Osanipin

….As over 70 auto-technicians receive training on automotive mechatronic in Benue 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (Pi-CNG) of the federal government has attracted over $980 million investments in Nigeria, with approximately 20,000 CNG-powered vehicles already in operation and over 315 conversion centres established across the states.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemima Joseph Osanipin disclosed this during the closing ceremony of five days specialised mechatronics training on the repair and maintenance of both Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) and Compress Natural Gas(CNG) and Motorcycles 

The Nations News reports that the training was organised by NADDC in collaboration with Simba Group for youth and auto-technicians in Benue State.

Osanipin maintained that the initiative was strategically designed to drive cost savings for citizens, create jobs, enhance energy security, and support environmental sustainability. 

He stated further that the program is specially designed to equip auto-technicians with advanced skills in repair and maintenance of modern vehicles and to promote the widespread adoption of CNG vehicles, particularly within the mass transit sector.

According to him, the intensive training, which commenced on the 8th of September 2025 at the Auto 360 Workshop, has successfully trained over 70 auto-technicians in the state and equipped them  with both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical expertise necessary to service, troubleshoot, and maintain CNG and PMS tricycle systems.

“Over the last few months, the Council organised same trainings at our Automotive Training Centres (ATC) in Ekiti, Kano and Lagos States, in which over 180 technicians were trained, certified and empowered with tools.

“The Council is committed to sustaining this momentum, with plans to continue with the same essential training in our ATCs across Osun, Borno, Adamawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Ebonyi States. 

“This nationwide initiative by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) addresses the urgent need to close the automotive skills gap, enhance technical capacity, and create sustainable jobs and livelihoods for Nigerian youth and technicians.

“The timing of this training is both strategic and essential. Following the removal of the fuel subsidy, the Federal Government of Nigeria launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (Pi-CNG) with the aim to promote the widespread adoption of CNG vehicles, particularly within the mass transit sector”, Osanipin maintained.

The Director General explained that through collaboration with stakeholders, including the Simba Group Nigeria, the Council has successfully trained over 15,000 technicians in the Mechatronics Program for Tricycle and Motorcycle Repair and Maintenance. 

“Currently, the Council has established 21 Automotive Training Centres (ATCs) across the six (6) geo-political zones with the purpose of fostering continuous skill development. 

“Sixteen (16) of these Centres have been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment/tools in line with global trends. These efforts align with one of the pillars of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) which aims to strengthen skills development and support industrial growth”, he added.

The Regional Manager of Simba Group covering six states, Sameer Umdhyay who provided technical overview of the training programme, appreciated  the Benue State Government and NADDC for their invaluable collaboration in making this training possible.

He said that the partnership reflects what can be achieved when government institutions, industry stakeholders, and communities work hand-in-hand for progress.

He maintained that by equipping the youth and technicians with modern knowledge in automotive technology, repair, and maintenance, has not only enhancing employability but also strengthening the foundation of transportation and mobility in Benue and beyond.

He noted that the training has exposed  participants to affordable CNG filling infrastructure, proper training of mechanics and drivers for safe usage, policy support to encourage a gradual shift from petrol-driven to CNG-powered three-wheelers.

In his the Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia commended NADDC and Simba Group for coming to impact knowledge on youths and auto-technicians in the state and appreciated them for their determination to embrace the future.

Gov Alia who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Sam Odeh, noted that Federal Government, under President Tinubu, is advancing Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan through the Renewed Hope Agenda,.

The governor further noted that central to this plan is gas — regarded as the bridging fuel that will power  industries, transport networks, and households while fostering a cleaner and more sustainable economy.

He announced that In line with his administration commitment to human capital development, the state will train 500 more youths in mechatronics and vehicle conversion from petrol to CNG.

” These artisans will establish conversion centres across the state, accelerating Benue’s transition to CNG-powered transport. This will drastically reduce transport costs and cushion the effects of subsidy removal on our people”.

“Here in Benue, we are fully aligned with this national vision. Our administration has adopted the Energy Transition Plan as a key pillar of our industrialization agenda. 

“We are determined to harness our abundant natural resources to create jobs, build industries, and empower our people.

“Our strategy is centred on establishing Industrial Parks across all 23 Local Government Areas. A policy framework led by the Benue Investment Promotion Agency is underway to attract investments for these hubs. 1

“Even now, we have signed a PPP agreement for the National Food City Complex on 30,000 hectares of land in Ogyoma, Otukpo. More are coming. These parks will crowd in infrastructure, stimulate entrepreneurship, and drive productivity at the grassroots. But to succeed, they must be powered by energy that is reliable, affordable, and clean”, Alia said.