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The Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu has faced backlash for allegedly sending skit makers and comedians, including “Ola of Lagos” and Basketmouth, to India to assess the safety and quality of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). A video of the delegation has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage.
Critics argue that the government overlooked qualified professionals such as engineers, researchers, and academics in favor of entertainers.
A user on X (formerly Twitter), identified as @ourfavoriteonlinedoc, expressed dismay:
“They didn’t send professors of engineering. They didn’t send PhD researchers or MSc students from top universities. They sent Ola of Lagos, who will return and shout, ‘Put CNG in your car; you’ll love it.’ What a shame.”
This is quite saddening tbh.
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺 🇬🇧 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) November 26, 2024
They didn’t send professors of engineering. They didn’t send PhD researchers and MSc students in technology from the country’s best universities. They didn’t send people who have the professional competence to analyse the innovation and recommend it… https://t.co/elpuAwg9TM
Another user, @Arikeade, questioned why the government prioritized content creators over trained professionals, posting:
“Their favorite artists and content creators over professionals.”
Similarly, @frankobaressi described the move as a reflection of poor leadership:
“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 now struggle between striving for good grades or making quick money—it’s either Isaac Newton or Pablo Escobar.”
The Tinubu administration has been actively promoting CNG as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to petrol, particularly for public transport. However, concerns about CNG safety have intensified following reports of explosions involving CNG-powered vehicles in Nigeria.
The decision to involve skit makers in evaluating such a critical technology has fueled public criticism, with many questioning the government’s approach to addressing technical challenges in the energy sector.
