‘Naija is a joke,’ Nigerians slam FG for sending ‘influencers’ to understudy India’s CNG use

Nigerians have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for sending comedians and skit makers to India to understudy the implementation and quality of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) usage.

A viral video on X (formerly Twitter) shows social media influencers, including Musician 2face Idibia; car enthusiast, known as Ola of Lagos, and comedian Basketmouth, among others, on an official trip to India to inspect CNG.

This development sparked outrage with people questioning the government’s priorities and the expertise of the influencers in such a critical sector.

Here are several reactions from X users:

@kunmydrey

Imagine Basket-mouth, 2Face, Ola of Lagos e.t.c. telling a Professor of Chemical or Mechanical Engineering that they’ve made checks on CNG, and it is good for Nigerian roads. Whats the essence of Education in Nigeria if we can’t invest in Research? How do we solve problems and, drive the needed progress to improve our country? Shame!

@OgaHans

You employed a president that has zero regards for Research, education and Statistics then turn back to expect something remarkable. Joke! We are here

@KANULEVI247

This shows a country the worst human beings are in leadership

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@Joejohnseen

The man’s aversion for education is unfathomable. Everything must be reduced to street, thuggery and anyhowness. People that make other people laugh are the ones they selected to go study CNG. Even if na laughing gas e no still pure.

@showlarshowtime

As Nigeria fielded comedians here, did India also field their own counterpart comedians? Naija is a joke. Zero professionalism. One day, sabinus will be made to pilot Naija Air. Rubbish! Must everything be cruise?

@SirB_Lord

Nigeria is a joke, imagine bunch of half educated folks been sent to examine the economic importance of CNG. Note: “economic importance” means both the advantages and disadvantage of a CNG use.

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Recall Tribune Online reported that the federal government has engaged four prominent Nigerian influencers, including music icon 2Face Idibia and lifestyle influencer Ola of Lagos, to explore India’s successful adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) as part of efforts to transition Nigeria to gas energy.

The initiative, organised by the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), also features northern musician Rarara, comedian Basketmouth, and a representative of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government is advocating for the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to petrol for buses, emphasizing its affordability and safety.

However, safety concerns persist due to incidents of explosions involving CNG-powered vehicles recorded across the country.

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Rachael Omidiji