The Kogi State Government has launched a mass youth training scheme in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion, targeting 2,310 young people across its 21 local government areas as part of efforts to reduce unemployment, tackle insecurity and boost the local economy.

The programme, in partnership with technology firm Sufpay Ltd, reflects the state’s commitment to aligning with Nigeria’s national energy transition policy and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s campaign pledge to prioritise youth empowerment.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, while speaking in Lokoja on Thursday, described the initiative as a “bold and strategic move” to position Kogi youths for relevance in the emerging clean energy sector.

“This is about creating a new generation of skilled professionals who can compete and contribute meaningfully in the evolving energy sector. CNG is the future, and we are proud to be preparing our youths for it,” Fanwo said.

He added that the training would serve as a non-kinetic approach to addressing youth-related insecurity by offering productive alternatives and building long-term economic resilience.

The training is being conducted in four centres — Lokoja, Okene, Idah and Kabba — to decentralise access and enable participants to learn within familiar environments. The state government said this arrangement would ensure broader participation and ease of implementation.

Fanwo also praised Sufpay Ltd for its technical support and the expertise brought to the programme, noting that such public-private collaboration is crucial to the success of skills development initiatives.

The CNG training scheme supports Nigeria’s national push for cleaner energy and the federal government’s efforts to reduce reliance on petrol through the promotion of alternative fuels. The Ododo-led administration believes that investing in technical capacity development will not only enhance employability but also open up new economic opportunities across sectors.