Nigerians Blast Tinubu Government for Sending Comedians to Assess CNG Safety, Ignoring Engineers and Experts
By Okafor Joseph Afam, November 27, 2024
In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, Nigerians have condemned the administration of President Bola Tinubu for sending comedians and skitmakers to India to assess the safety of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), a fuel alternative that the government has been promoting. The government’s decision to send figures like “Ola of Lagos,” Basketmouth, and other content creators to evaluate the viability of CNG instead of professionals with expertise in engineering and safety has raised serious concerns.
The controversy erupted after a now-viral video surfaced on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing the group of comedians visiting India to inspect the CNG technology. In the clip, they appear to be touring facilities and engaging in humorous skits, with little to no focus on the technical aspects of the CNG infrastructure.
Critics quickly took to social media to express their dismay, accusing the government of undermining the nation’s professional class in favor of popular entertainers. One user, @ourfavoriteonlinedoc, expressed frustration at the lack of professional engagement, stating: “This is quite saddening, to be honest. They didn’t send professors of engineering. They didn’t send PhD researchers or MSc students from the country’s best universities. They sent Ola of Lagos, who will just come back, roll on the floor, and scream ‘put CNG in your car, you will love it.’ What a shame.”
Another user, Arikeade, questioned the government’s priorities, wondering why it appeared to place more trust in content creators than in qualified professionals. “Their favourite artists and content creators over professionals,” she wrote.
The criticism continued, with @frankobaressi commenting on the absurdity of the situation, saying, “This is what happens when we let touts handle the affairs of this nation. They’re hell-bent on defying the laws of logic. Students nowadays are stuck between striving for good grades or making money. It’s either Isaac Newton or Pablo Escobar.”
The Nigerian government has been actively promoting CNG as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to petrol for public transportation, especially buses. However, recent incidents involving CNG-powered vehicles exploding have raised concerns about the safety of the fuel, further intensifying the debate over the government’s approach to its promotion.
Nigerians, particularly those in the engineering and academic sectors, are now questioning the government’s commitment to making informed decisions based on professional expertise. With a growing demand for answers regarding the safety of CNG, many are calling for the involvement of engineers and safety experts in the evaluation process, rather than relying on entertainers whose expertise lies elsewhere.
As the controversy rages on, the Tinubu-led government finds itself under increasing pressure to clarify its decision-making process and explain why it chose to prioritize entertainment over professionalism in such a critical matter.
