The Nigerian government, in partnership with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) and the Ministry of Youth Development, has commenced the distribution of 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles as part of an effort to support Nigerian youth. The launch, held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja on Tuesday, was organized in conjunction with celebrations for Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary.
In his remarks, Michael Oluwagbemi, the Project Director of the CNG initiative, stated that the handover of the tricycles fulfilled President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reducing transportation costs, promoting economic growth, improving environmental sustainability through cleaner fuel use, and creating job opportunities for young people via CNG-powered vehicles.
He highlighted that the tricycles were assembled locally in Shagamu and were anticipated to generate employment in areas such as operations, maintenance, and distribution throughout Nigeria.
Oluwagbemi added, “We are here to honor the President’s promise by officially delivering 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles, which will be the cornerstone of this transformation. These tricycles, assembled entirely in Nigeria at a Shagamu-based plant, represent a significant milestone. In the past three weeks, over 50 young Nigerians have been trained to assemble these vehicles, and many more are expected to follow.”
He also pointed out that this initiative goes beyond assembling tricycles, with the expectation that the project will create thousands of jobs for young Nigerians in not only operating these vehicles but also maintaining and efficiently deploying them nationwide.
“This is a modest step towards a future driven by natural gas, which is key to Nigeria’s development. It converts a resource that is currently underutilized into a wealth-generating and job-creating opportunity for all Nigerians,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, the Minister for Youth Development, praised the initiative for addressing transportation difficulties faced by both drivers and passengers. She applauded President Tinubu’s administration for its focus on uplifting the lives of young Nigerians.
“These tricycles will significantly reduce the transportation challenges experienced by transporters and the general public. In this era of economic reform, this initiative brings much-needed relief, showcasing the government’s dedication to improving the lives of young people,” she remarked.
Dr. Bio-Ibrahim further explained how the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) would act as financial support for aspiring young entrepreneurs in the transport sector, and how the Ministry looks forward to working with the P-CNGi to achieve the target of 2 million tricycles.
