Edo State has once again blazed the trail in women empowerment and sustainable development, as 50 pioneering female mechanics graduated from a historic training programme in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion.
The initiative — a first of its kind in Nigeria — was made possible through a strategic partnership between the Edo State Government, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the Lady Mechanic Initiative.
Held in Benin City, the graduation ceremony carried the theme: “CNG Conversion: A New Horizon for Women in the Automotive Industry.” It attracted top government dignitaries from both state and federal levels, underscoring its national importance.
Delivering the speech of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor, praised the uniqueness of the programme.
“This CNG conversion initiative has been carried out in other states like Ekiti and Imo. However, Edo stands out — this is the first time all the participants are women, trained as mechanics, in collaboration with the Lady Mechanic Initiative,” the SSG noted.
“Edo is setting a standard that will be difficult for others to match.”
He reaffirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to gender inclusion, calling women empowerment not only a matter of social justice but also “smart economics.”
According to him, the government’s empowerment strategy includes an ambitious plan to train and support 54,000 women over four years, with a quarterly target of 1,000 women, and a newly launched ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for female traders and market women.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaam Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, described the graduation as a powerful symbol of the Renewed Hope Agenda in action.
“This moment is more than a graduation. It is a declaration of what is possible when bold policies meet courageous women,” she said.
“We are empowering Nigerian women with the tools, skills, and platforms to shape their future — and the nation’s.”
She applauded NADDC and its partners for this “catalyst initiative,” emphasizing that the success in Edo reflects the larger vision of the Ministry’s PowerHer 774 programme, which is reaching 3 million women across all 774 LGAs with clean energy, entrepreneurship training, and financial linkages.
“The graduates before us today are proof of what we’re scaling across the country: women with the skill and confidence to lead their communities into a cleaner, greener future,” the Minister added.
“That it is happening in Edo is no coincidence. Edo is a beacon of progressive leadership and women-led development.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Edesili Anani Okpebholo, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo State, hailed Governor Okpebholo for creating a thriving space for women to rise and shine.
“When you empower women, you empower the world,” she said. “These 50 graduates now have a skillset that makes them active players in a cleaner economy and role models in their communities.”
Other key stakeholders who delivered goodwill messages include, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, Director General and CEO of NADDC, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, Commissioner for Education, Edo State, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Edo State and Lady Mechanic Initiative representatives
The ceremony marks a transformative moment in Nigeria’s journey toward a cleaner energy future and inclusive development. By placing women at the forefront of innovation in the automotive and energy sectors, Edo State has set a formidable benchmark for others to follow.