Ondo Gov’s Aide Partners NAPS Southwest to Launch CNG Conversion Centre at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic

In a landmark move set to transform technical education and energy innovation, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Southwest Zone, has announced the establishment of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Centre at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State.

The project, powered by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Ondo State Governor on Student Affairs, Hon. Kevin Solomon Olaolu (KSO), represents a major step toward sustainable energy adoption in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

According to the NAPS Southwest Zonal Coordinator, Comr. Obasanya Monday Johnson (MLEX), the initiative is designed to equip students with hands-on skills in green energy conversion, while also supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for cleaner, more affordable energy solutions.

“This CNG Centre will not only benefit Rufus Giwa Polytechnic but will also create opportunities for skill acquisition, technical empowerment, and economic growth for students across Ondo State and beyond,” Johnson stated.

Hon. Kevin Solomon Olaolu (KSO), who championed the project, was praised for his foresight and student-driven leadership. Stakeholders described the centre as a bold move that would place the polytechnic at the forefront of energy innovation in Nigeria.

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Comr. Shane Thompson, was also commended for his grassroots-level support and contributions that ensured smooth implementation of the initiative.

Management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic expressed its readiness to continue backing groundbreaking projects that merge academic knowledge with practical applications for students.

The CNG Conversion Centre is scheduled for completion and commissioning next month. Once operational, it will serve as a model for other institutions across the Southwest, positioning students to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the automotive gas industry.

NAPS Southwest reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that polytechnic students graduate not only with certificates but also with industry-relevant technical skills that enhance employability and national development.