LMI has been breaking barriers and creating measurable impacts since 2004 The Lady Mechanic Initiative is an accredited non-governmental organization which trains young women as auto-mechanics, lady mechanic drivers, generator technicians, water pump and speed boat mechanics. The LMI programme offers a transformative approach that challenges gender stereotype and changes the lives of Nigerian wome
n by leading to economic and personal empowerment. Lady Mechanic Initiative is located in five states in Nigeria namely:
LAGOS STATE
Since inception of the Lady Mechanic Initiative in Lagos State, over 250 female mechanics have graduated and now work with various car companies all over Nigeria. Some have also been employed by private garage owners. Presently, we have over 100 trainees that are undergoing training to become auto-mechanics, generator repair specialists and water pump technicians. EDO STATE
Lady Mechanic Initiative currently has over 100 female mechanics who are undergoing training in Benin City and they are been sponsored by the Coca Cola/NBC. Some of these girls will be graduating in May 2014. KADUNA STATE
Lady Mechanic Initiative has PAN Automobile in Kaduna as its centre. The girls undergo internship programme with Peugeot Automobile as a part of their training programme. So far, 400 girls have graduated through PAN Automobile. ABUJA FCT
Lady Mechanic Initiative currently has 30 female mechanics will graduate by June 2014 in Abuja, FCT. The initiative also has graduates who are also presently training other women in Abuja. An example is the youngest CEO of the Initiative, 22 years Old Bright Timothy who now has a workshop where she repairs cars and is also training 3 women. KANO STATE
The Lady Mechanic Initiative is also now in Kano State where we are training 20 young women to be Female Mechanic Drivers. Lady Mechanic now has over 600 Alumni members in Nigeria. Our long term goal is to train and graduate 10,000 female mechanics by 2025, and so far, LMI has trained and equipped over 700 young women, out of which 85% have become gainfully employed in reputable automobile organizations such as TOTAL NIGERIA PLC, TOYOTA MOTORS, PAN AUTOMOBILE, COSCHARIS MOTORS, HONDA PLACE,RENAULT MOTORS INTERNATIONAL, CFAO MOTORS etc. While others have successfully established their own garages and are currently training other women in the same field. Owing to the impressive accomplishments recorded by LMI thus far, we have enjoyed mutually beneficial sponsorships from well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations such as:
• Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Federal Ministry of Women Affairs
• National Society for Women
• Eureko Achmea Foundation in the Nederland
• British Women’s group Lagos
• Coca Cola and NBC Plc
• MTN Foundation
• TATA Motors Africa
• Nederland Embassy
• Global Funds for Women, San Francisco USA
• National Productivity Centre Abuja,
• Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, Kaduna,
• Sandex Car Care Limited, Lagos,
• Toyota Nigeria ,Elizade Motors, Mazda
• Small World Lagos
• LCS Charity Lagos
• The Honda Place
• Coscharis Group
• Mercedes Benz Nigeria
• Mitsubishi Motors, Nigeria
• Nissan Motors
• CFAO Motors Nigeria
• The German Embassy
• Lagoon Community Health Plan
• French Government
• American Government
• MacArthur Foundation, Chicago USA
Lady Mechanic Initiative also gains considerable attention of local and international media such as Radio Nigeria, Lagos State Television, Voice of Nigeria, Voice of Africa, SABC South Africa, BBC World News, The Economist, Africa journal, CNN, NPR, New York Times, Der Spiegel and more.
