By DAYO ADESULU
Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has graduated more than 50 Nigerians who completed specialised training in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), vehicle welding and fibreglass technology under its TETFund Centre of Excellence in Skills, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development (TETCoE).
The graduates were honoured on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the certified short-course programmes held at the College Hall in YABATECH, Lagos.
The programme brought together the institution’s management, TETCoE officials, instructors, industry experts, resource persons, partners and the graduating trainees.
Each participant received training estimated at about N1.2 million, highlighting the scale of investment in technical and vocational education and YABATECH’s effort to develop skilled manpower capable of meeting the demands of Nigeria’s changing economy.
Training Targets Nigeria’s Emerging Technical Needs
The initiative was delivered through the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Skills, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development, a platform established to promote specialised skills development, applied research and industry-focused training.
Speaking at the ceremony, YABATECH Rector, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, described the graduation as an important achievement for both the beneficiaries and the institution.
He said the college was increasingly focusing on practical solutions to national challenges by providing young Nigerians with technical skills that are relevant to industry and the labour market.
According to the Rector, the programme has so far produced two cohorts in CNG technology, Cohorts 3 and 4, alongside another group trained in vehicle welding and fibreglass technology.
CNG Training Prepares Trainees for Green Economy
The Rector explained that the CNG training was designed to give participants a practical understanding of CNG conversion technology and its mechanical applications.
He noted that the skills could give beneficiaries an advantage as Nigeria expands its interest in cleaner and alternative automotive energy solutions.
Beyond employment opportunities, Abdul said the training could enable participants to contribute to economic development while supporting environmental sustainability.
The vehicle welding and fibreglass programme, meanwhile, exposed trainees to practical areas including automotive fabrication, body repairs, structural engineering and modern materials used in vehicle production and maintenance.
“You are leaving Yabatech not merely with certificates, but as solution providers, innovators, and future industry leaders capable of driving self-reliance and technological progress,” the Rector told the graduates.
Experts Urge Graduates to Keep Learning
The acting chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee, Dr. Lauretta Ofodile, advised the graduates to view the training as the beginning of their professional development rather than its conclusion.
She described the acquired skills as practical tools that could support financial independence, entrepreneurship and industrial leadership.
Ofodile also urged the beneficiaries to maintain professional integrity and discipline while continually upgrading their knowledge through additional training, research, workshops and exposure to industry practices.
For the CNG trainees, safety was another major issue highlighted during the ceremony.
Mrs Toronto Adegoju, representative of Automedics Nigeria Ltd, congratulated the graduates and stressed the importance of proper procedures when installing, calibrating and maintaining CNG automotive systems.
She advised the trainees to use appropriate equipment, follow established safety procedures and ensure that all installations and calibrations are properly completed before vehicles are returned to operation.
Adegoju further encouraged the beneficiaries to remain committed to continuous learning as automotive technology continues to evolve.
TETCoE Strengthens Industry-Academia Connection
The Director of TETCoE, Arc. Sherifdeen Ayodele-Oja, described the centre as a strategic platform for developing specialised skills that address priority national needs.
He said the centre was established in 2021 and selected as one of six Centres of Excellence in Nigeria.
According to him, TETCoE has continued to focus on industry-relevant skills, innovation and applied research while seeking to close the gap between academic institutions, industries, policymakers and communities.
The centre also aims to develop industrially relevant products and services, strengthen research capacity and incorporate contemporary technologies into technical skills development.
YABATECH Deepens Industry Partnerships
The college also highlighted its collaboration with industry organisations, including Automedics Nigeria Ltd and IVIX Design Ltd.
The partnerships are designed to expose trainees to real-world industry practices while creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and professional advancement.
According to the college, such collaborations are important to ensuring that technical education remains aligned with labour-market requirements and broader national economic priorities.
As part of the graduation ceremony, certificates and starter packs were presented to the trainees.
The starter packs are expected to help the beneficiaries begin applying their newly acquired skills immediately and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, a beneficiary expressed appreciation to TETFund, TETCoE and YABATECH management for providing the training and empowerment opportunities.
The graduates also pledged to serve as good ambassadors of the institution, apply the skills they acquired and contribute positively to the college and society.
Why This Matters
The YABATECH CNG training programme comes at a time when Nigeria needs more technically skilled workers capable of responding to changes in the automotive, energy and manufacturing sectors.
By combining classroom-based learning with practical industry exposure, programmes of this nature can help young Nigerians develop employable skills while creating opportunities for self-employment.
The provision of starter packs further strengthens the entrepreneurship component of the programme, potentially allowing graduates to move from training directly into productive economic activity.
Conclusion
YABATECH’s latest skills-development initiative demonstrates the growing importance of technical and vocational education in preparing Nigerians for emerging opportunities.
With more than 50 beneficiaries trained in CNG, vehicle welding and fibreglass technology, the programme places practical skills, entrepreneurship and industry relevance at the centre of its approach.
The challenge now is for the graduates to build on the foundation provided by the programme, maintain professional standards and continue learning as technology and industry requirements evolve.
SEO Title: YABATECH Graduates Over 50 Nigerians in CNG, Welding, Fibreglass Technology
Could this model help Nigeria tackle youth unemployment and close the technical skills gap? Tell us what you think.
#YABATECH #CNG #TechnicalEducation #TETFund #TETCoE #Nigeria #SkillsDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #AutomotiveTechnology #YouthEmpowerment #TCNEWS
