The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to integrate Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) retrofitting training into its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, NYSC Director General, Olakunle Nafiu, said the collaboration forms part of efforts to broaden opportunities for corps members through practical and market-driven skills training.
He noted that the NYSC currently provides in-camp SAED training to more than 300,000 corps members annually and has, since the program was introduced in 2012, supported about 1.5 million corps members in post-camp vocational training across the country.
According to him, the scheme remains committed to equipping corps members with relevant entrepreneurial and technical skills before the completion of their service year.
“For over five decades, the NYSC has mobilized Nigerian graduates in support of national unity and development. In response to rising unemployment, we launched the SAED program in 2012 because service with skills leaves corps members better equipped for the future,” Nafiu said.
He added that the partnership with NADDC would enable corps members, particularly those with engineering backgrounds, to become certified CNG technicians in line with Nigeria’s growing energy transition needs.
The NYSC boss also commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives, Titilope Gbadamosi, and the leadership of NADDC for investing in youth development.
On his part, NADDC Director General, Joseph Osanipin, said the council would deploy its technical expertise to develop and implement a high-standard CNG retrofitting curriculum under the three-year agreement.
“Through this partnership, NADDC will deploy its full technical capacity to design and deliver a CNG retrofitting curriculum of the highest professional standard that will produce corps members who are certified, practically competent, and enterprise-ready,” he said.
Osanipin expressed confidence that the partnership would create meaningful opportunities and transform the lives of young Nigerians.
Also speaking, Titilope Gbadamosi said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s energy transition agenda and aims to equip Nigerian youths with relevant vocational skills while building a pool of certified CNG technicians nationwide.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the collaboration as a major step toward addressing youth unemployment, noting that the initiative could generate up to 5,000 jobs for young Nigerians.
He urged stakeholders to continue supporting skills development initiatives capable of bridging existing gaps in the labour market.
“The Federal Government has been promoting the CNG initiative for the past three years. Nigerian youths must not be left behind.
“We cannot continue to depend on foreigners for jobs and technical expertise in a sector where our young people can thrive,” the minister said.
Olawande further disclosed that NADDC would fully fund the programme for three years, while the NYSC would provide its nationwide SAED platform and training facilities to ensure successful implementation.
