For years, automotive repair work has traditionally been dominated by men. However, that narrative is gradually changing with more women joining the ranks and thriving in that space.
Diverse Autocare Centre, established by Nigeria’s foremost shipping mogul, Engr Greg Ogbeifun, is one of the few automobile repair workshops in Nigeria taking steps in bridging this gender gap and encouraging female mechanical engineers through employment and human capacity development.
Maritime Today Online Shulammite ‘Foyeku had a chat with the company’s two female mechanical engineers – Immaculate Osuagwu and Blessing Agbongiaban in Benin City where they share their experiences working in the auto repair industry and their vision for its future.
Immaculate Osuagwu
How do you find yourself working in the auto repair industry?
I started the job in a local workshop in 2008 before I gained admission to school. I just woke up one day after my secondary education and my dad told me there is no money for me to further my education at the moment that I should go and look for a place to learn a trade. When I told him I want to become a mechanic, he was shocked. At first, he thought I was joking but when he saw the seriousness in me, he took me to a workshop where I started learning. It was there I heard Coca-Cola Company was empowering lady mechanics so I joined them and that was how I met with my then boss, Sandra Aguebor – Nigeria’s first female mechanic. I was with her for some time and after two years, we went to Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) training Centre, Kaduna where they taught us so many things within the six months period we were there. The Coca- Cola company was so impressed to see that ladies could come up to work in the men’s field and so while we were learning, we were still being paid and that spurred us to want to do more. Thereafter I went to Kojo Motors where I had my Industrial training and after the training, they gave me a letter of retainership. It was the then Managing Director of Kojo Motors that asked me to further my education so I told him I would want to go Rivers State polytechnic and they supported me.
What has been the greatest challenge for you as a woman?
The job is not easy because some women will not like using fuel to wash their hands with fingers always stained. The job has also taken me far away from home, I have travelled to so many states in the country because of this job but the passion for the job is the driving force for me. So, I am happy being here. I just love doing the work.
How has working at Diverse impacted your career?
First, I got to know about Diverse because I was one of the lady mechanics that worked on Edo State government vehicles. During the governor’s first term in office, he said he wants all the government owned vehicles to be repaired by the lady mechanics so we were opportune to work with him in government house and that was when I left Port Harcourt to Benin. I was there for about a year before the contract was terminated and we all went back to our different workshops. My husband too is a mechanic. Later I heard of Diverse through one of my colleagues and after the interview, they found me worthy of the job so they gave me the opportunity to work with them. I saw it as a great opportunity for myself, to prove that I could do anything asked of me and also for Diverse, to open the door for other potential lady mechanics in the future. Diverse has given me all the opportunities to move up within the company and supplied me with the tools and guidance to do so with confidence.
What would you say to ladies who are considering starting careers in auto repair today and your vision for the industry in the future?
The field is hard but interesting. Mechanic is not a job you learn in a day because so many vehicles are coming out daily with different engines and body builds. The process is learning every day. You don’t know it all. Even those who have spent years on the job are still learning and that is why any company we work with always sends us for training so that when we eventually receive any kind of vehicles, we will not be confused while working on them.
To ladies considering a career in auto repair, if you are far, you will think the job is hard but it is not. There is nothing men can do that women cannot do if you are determined to do it. We are good in all areas. Just tell yourself, I can do it. I have a business of my own where I can fall back to if I want but I will rather be here because this is what I love doing.
Blessing Agbongiaban
What do you find the most exciting about working in the auto repair industry?
Initially I was really not interested in the job but the money they were paying us as lady mechanics. But as time went by, I developed interest in fixing car engines and suspension parts. So, when I’m at work I like keeping myself busy, I don’t like idleness and at this point, I’m not even interested in the money again but the work.
What has been the greatest challenge for you as a woman?
Taking care of the home front and balancing it with work was the greatest challenge for me. People also look at the work as a dirty job. I remembered my boyfriend then had to call off our relationship because he always complained about the dirty coverall. As a woman, when you are married and start giving birth, you may find it difficult to continue with the job. That was the challenge I had. When I had my first child, it was not easy and after the second child, I had to stop work because of the stress and for many years I couldn’t return. But because of the interest I have in the job and with encouragement I receive especially from my husband I eventually came back. Now after three kids, I still find joy in doing my job and so far, I have not had the thought of quitting because of my children.
How has working in Diverse impacted your career?
I have gained a lot of experience working at Diverse. Before I joined the company, I wasn’t working on Toyota vehicles because I learnt with Mercedes but since I joined the company, I have learned how to work on Toyota brands. I know how to operate on many machines that I have not worked on before. The company has really impacted my career.
What would you say to women who are considering starting careers in the auto repair industry today?
People look at mechanics as dirty people and for a lady, you can imagine what people will say. But as a lady, if you are looking at starting a career in this industry, you don’t need to be ashamed of what people will say about you. If you are focused and determined and know what you are doing, you will definitely achieve a lot in the future. When you start making your money, they are ones that will come for you. I believe that there is nothing a man can do that women cannot do when you are focused and put your mind at what you do.
