By Lucy Ogalue
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) is collaborating with the Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI) to train female technicians on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle conversion.
The Director-General of NADDC, Mr Joseph Osanipin, said this at the ongoing five-day training on “Conversion of Petrol-Powered Vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles” holding in Benin.
This is contained in a statement by Osanipin and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.
He explained that the training aimed to build technical capacity among women and promote their participation in Nigeria’s evolving CNG automotive ecosystem.
He also described the initiative as a significant step toward gender inclusion and sustainable economic development in the auto sector.
“I am happy to see female technicians taking their place in the industry. It is now their turn to be trained.
“This programme will promote gender equality, boost employment and contribute to the growth of the auto sector, particularly within the CNG value chain,” Osanipin said.
He reaffirmed NADDC’s commitment to empowering women and closing the gender gap in technical skills, saying the CNG initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s agenda on clean energy transition and automotive sector reform.
The director-general also thanked the Edo Government for its support in hosting the event and towards empowering women in the state.
The Founder of Lady Mechanic Initiative, Mrs Sandra Aguebor, expressed gratitude to NADDC and the Edo Government for their support in making the training a reality.
Aguebor, Nigeria’s first female mechanic, said more than 50 ladies had enrolled in the training, and described the initiative as life-changing.
“Edo Government and NADDC have come to put smiles on the faces of lady mechanics in the state,” she said
She encouraged participants to take the opportunity seriously and assured them that more doors would open if they show commitment and dedication.
Similarly, Amina Gambo, the Lady Mechanic Coordinator for Kano State, educated the public on the safety and advantages of CNG.
“The CNG is not cooking gas. It contains no carbon, and it is clean and safe for the environment. We need to spread this awareness,” she said.
Her counterpart from Imo, Petronilla Isaac, urged the trainees to remain focused and committed throughout the programme, stressing that the opportunity was a golden one.
The CNG training programme forms part of the broader effort by NADDC to support Nigeria’s automotive policy and energy transition plan, while creating inclusive pathways for women in technical vocations.
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