Strategic partnership discussed for youth-focused automotive training as part of Nigeria’s clean energy transition. On the
August 8, 2025. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), welcomed the Special Assistant to the President on Capacity Development, Mr. Sadiq Rabiu, and his delegation at the NADDC headquarters for a courtesy visit centered on potential collaboration to scale up youth training in CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicle conversion, beginning with a pilot in Kano State.
Mr. Rabiu commended NADDC for its critical role in championing Nigeria’s transition to alternative fuel sources, particularly the national push for CNG adoption in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal. He acknowledged the Council’s consistency in promoting CNG across the geo-political zones, stating, “We are proud of the efforts being put in by NADDC. As a regulator, your impact is being felt, and we are here to explore ways we can support and complement this work.”
He emphasized that the initiative was not only about skill acquisition but also creating viable employment opportunities. “We are not just training young people for the sake of it, we are aligning them with companies ready to absorb their skills. Kano is the starting point, but our ambition is to scale this across all local governments,” he noted.
In response, Naddc DG, Osanipin expressed appreciation to Mr. Rabiu for his commitment to youth development and reiterated the shared alignment between NADDC’s regulatory mandate and the capacity development goals of the Presidency.
“For us at NADDC, capacity building is a cornerstone of industry growth. Beyond regulations, we invest heavily in training infrastructure and policy formulation that support both public and private sector growth,” he said.
Highlighting the Council’s recent efforts in Kano, Osanipin noted that NADDC had successfully trained 50 individuals on CNG conversion for motorcycles and tricycles and was set to collaborate with the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi) in another upcoming session at their Kano Auto Training Centre.
He also emphasized NADDC’s open-door policy for inter-agency collaboration: “We make our training facilities available at no cost to government bodies like PCNGi and ITF, to ensure a broader impact on youth empowerment in the automotive sector.”
Osanipin concluded by acknowledging a local automotive component manufacturer in Kano, Alheri Company, for its role in youth employment and innovation. “We’re supporting local champions like Alheri and helping them expand through state-level engagement. Your contact will be valuable as we strengthen our presence and partnerships in Kano.”
The visit signals stronger inter-governmental collaboration towards upskilling Nigerian youths in the automotive and clean energy space, aligning with the country’s broader energy transition and economic empowerment goals.
