Joyce Onwuka
The Edo State Government in collaboration with the Lady Mechanic Initiative and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), have trained about 50 women mechanics in Edo.
The beneficiaries received certification after a specialised training on converting petrol vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Benin, founder Ofodeme the Lady Mechanic Initiative, Mrs Sandra Aguebor, said the 50 graduates would significantly boost manpower for converting petrol vehicles to environmentally friendly CNG-powered engines.
She said the theme of the event “CNG Conversion: A New Horizon for Women in the Automotive Industry” highlighted women’s expanding role in the male-dominated sector.
Aguebor, Nigeria’s first lady mechanic, said that Edo women mechanics could convert petrol vehicles to CNG following their training and successful graduation from the Lady Mechanic Initiative.
She said that so far, the Lady Mechanic Initiative had trained more than 6,000 women across 20 states, with certified coordinators supporting the programme.
Aguebor explained that the initiative was to empower women and girls, as well as promoting economic prosperity for families, especially vulnerable women in society through skill development.
She added that the initiative also provided mentorship and counselling, further supporting the girl child and encouraging women’s sustained success in mechanics.
“All beneficiaries have been trained and certified as CNG conversion technicians,” she said.
Aguebor commended Gov. Monday Okpebholo and the Federal Government for their vital support and commitment to the women empowerment initiative.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, described the event as a historic milestone symbolising bold policies empowering courageous Nigerian women with critical skills and platforms.
She said the graduation was proof that the Renewed Hope Agenda was working, equipping women to actively shape Nigeria’s industrial and energy landscape.
“This programme integrates women centrally into Nigeria’s clean energy transition, not as passive beneficiaries, but as leaders driving innovation and transformation,” the minister said.
Okpebholo, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, commended Edo’s leadership in setting unmatched standards and urged public support for women achieving greatness independently.
“We must celebrate women’s achievements without crediting men; women can succeed solely on their efforts and contributions,” he said.
He said that Edo was empowering women because their participation significantly boosted the state’s GDP when given equal opportunities as men.
Earlier, the Director General, NADDC, Oluwemimo Osanipin, said that the initiative was technically and economically feasible because Nigeria was naturally endowed with abundance of natural gas deposits.
“It is imperative that Nigeria must leverage on its natural gas resource and transform it to an energy that will drive the automotive wheels of Nigeria,’’ Osanipin said.