No fewer than 120 artisans across Jigawa State have been trained on Compressed Natural Gas conversion, maintenance and safety, as the state government moves to establish CNG conversion centres to support Nigeria’s alternative energy drive.
The three-day practical training was organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in collaboration with Hatfield Global Resources and Safe AutoGas Ltd. It was designed to equip youths and artisans with the skills needed to convert petrol-powered vehicles to CNG-powered vehicles.
Nigeria Startup News reports that the development comes as the Jigawa State Government works to provide CNG conversion centres across the state. The initiative is aimed at creating jobs, reducing fuel costs and promoting energy efficiency.
It would be recalled that on February 4, 2025, the Jigawa State Government announced it had invested over N132 million in developing a natural gas conversion training centre in Dutse and other parts of the state.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the PUNCH during the closing session held at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse on Wednesday, the representative of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Torunarigha K. Cash, said, “We’re here to ensure the training is guided according to the prescribed manual of the board.”
Cash, who oversaw the programme, explained that the initiative formed part of efforts to ensure the success of the CNG transition across the country. He emphasised that, “The training was rigorous and fantastic, aimed at empowering Nigerian youths and artisans to learn CNG conversion skills.”
According to him, the board remains committed to promoting energy efficiency nationwide, adding that, “The training was part of efforts to promote energy efficiency in Nigeria.”
Revealing more details about the practical sessions, Cash stated, “The training, which was practical-oriented, saw about ten different kinds of vehicles converted from petroleum-powered to CNG-powered for free.”
Also speaking during the training, the organiser and Chief Executive Officer of Hatfield Global Resources Ltd, Safiya Idris Hadejia, described the programme as the first of its kind in the state.
“What we’re doing is in line with the Nigerian Gas Expansion Programme. The initiative aimed to empower 120 youths and artisans with CNG conversion skills,” she said.
Hadejia explained that the Federal Government is making deliberate efforts to ensure youths are empowered to benefit from the CNG initiative. She said, “The federal government is making a lot of effort towards ensuring that the youths are empowered.
“We selected about 120 youth beneficiaries to give them this training, and the participants comprised both male and female.”
She appealed to other young people to take advantage of similar opportunities. “I’m appealing to all those young artisans and youths that are out there that are looking for something to do to keep looking for opportunities like this,” she added.
Hadejia further disclosed that the Jigawa State Government is constructing four CNG conversion centres across the state, located in Dutse, Hadejia, Kazaure and Gumel Emirates.
“We hope these young men will be employed to work and run those CNG conversion centres when they’re complete and inaugurated,” she said.
Speaking on the performance of the participants, she noted, “The trainees showed a lot of passion and commitment during the training,” adding, “So far from what we have seen, I’m very, very happy with the attitude of all the youth participants.”
She also revealed that “Hatfield Global Resources Ltd is working on organising another version of the training soon.”
Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the opportunity. Ahmed Musa, a Keke-Napep rider, said, “I’m happy to learn this skill; it will help me earn a living.”
Another participant, Fatima Abdullahi, said she was excited about the training. “I want to start my own CNG conversion business,” she said.
