ABG Oil and Gas has successfully concluded a week-long training program for 40 participants on converting petrol-powered vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Kaduna.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Shehu Kyari, Director and Head of Business Development at ABG Oil and Gas, highlighted the initiative’s significance in equipping individuals with relevant skills to meet growing demand for CNG technology.
Kyari revealed that most of the trainees, drawn from diverse fields including IT, agriculture, and science, had no prior automobile background. Despite this, all participants were certified as fit to work in the field after the training.
“Of the trainees, five will be engaged by Monday at our Kaduna conversion center. Another five will work at our Mando center, which opens soon. By December, our new center in Kano will also employ five trainees,” Kyari said, adding that three participants from Abuja have already been confirmed for jobs starting next week.
Kyari also disclosed ABG’s plans to build a database of trained personnel for future recruitment and collaboration with other businesses in the CNG conversion sector. He emphasized that this was the company’s third training session, following two successful programs in Abuja.
Discussing the cost-effectiveness of CNG, Kyari noted that it is significantly cheaper than petrol, as it is not a byproduct of crude oil and does not require processing. “Currently, CNG sells for about N230 in Kaduna compared to petrol at N1,200. CNG also offers longer mileage, making it a more economical alternative,” he explained.
At the event, special guest Shehu Ibrahim Madugu, an oil industry expert, urged the trainees to make the most of their new skills. He emphasized the importance of skill acquisition in today’s economy and pointed out that major oil marketers are preparing to diversify into the CNG sector.
“CNG is a viable substitute for petrol, and marketers like Total, Conoil, and MRS will soon need skilled personnel for vehicle conversions. This is an opportunity you should not take for granted,” Madugu said.
Madugu also commended ABG Oil and Gas Chairman, Alhaji Bawa Garba, for his vision and commitment to creating opportunities in northern Nigeria. He encouraged the trainees to leverage their skills to build successful careers in the emerging CNG industry.