The Federal Government has flagged off a specialized Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion training programme for female mechanics in Edo State, marking a strategic move to promote women’s participation in Nigeria’s evolving automotive industry.
Naijaonpoint Media reports that the training was scheduled to run from June 30 to July 4, 2025, is a joint initiative of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Edo State Government, and the Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI). The programme is being hosted in Benin City.
According to the Director-General of NADDC, the initiative is specifically designed for women working in the automotive sector. It offers hands-on training in CNG conversion technologies, aimed at boosting technical competence, fostering innovation, and creating entrepreneurial opportunities for female mechanics.
“This programme is more than skills training—it’s about building inclusive capacity for a cleaner and more affordable transport future,” he stated.
He added that as Nigeria shifts toward eco-friendly alternatives to petrol and diesel, it is essential that women are empowered to participate fully in the transition to sustainable energy in transportation.
“Promoting diversity and inclusion in this sector ensures that women are not only beneficiaries of progress but also drivers of it.”
The initiative aligns with broader national goals to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on fossil fuels by scaling the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), an environmentally safer and more economical option for the transport industry.
By targeting women, especially those already active in technical trades, the programme seeks to bridge the gender gap in a male-dominated field while advancing Nigeria’s clean energy transition agenda.