50 women graduate in CNG auto training as Edo sets national record

Fifty women have graduated from a groundbreaking training programme in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle conversion, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s clean energy drive and female empowerment in the automotive sector.

The graduation ceremony, held in Benin City, Edo State, was part of a joint initiative by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Edo State Government, and the Lady Mechanic Initiative. Themed “CNG Conversion: A New Horizon for Women in the Automotive Industry,” the programme aimed to equip women with hands-on skills in eco-friendly vehicle technology.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor, praised the programme as a bold and strategic investment in women’s economic potential. He noted that Edo stood out among states where NADDC has implemented similar training because it is the first with an all-female cohort and was executed in collaboration with the Lady Mechanic Initiative.

“Edo is setting a national standard. Empowering women is not just about equity—it’s smart economics,” he said, adding that the state aims to train 54,000 women within four years and recently launched a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for female traders.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the event as a milestone in breaking gender stereotypes and promoting women in technical professions. “These women are not just graduates—they are pioneers. Their success proves that Nigeria’s clean energy transition and the Renewed Hope Agenda are more than policies—they are producing tangible results,” she said.

She also commended the Lady Mechanic Initiative, founded by Engineer Sandra Aguebor, for training over 1,500 women as auto mechanics nationwide.

The event was widely hailed as a transformative moment in Nigeria’s efforts to combine climate action with gender inclusion and skill development.