A former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, once aptly said, ‘There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.’ This inspiring truth is embodied in the remarkable story of Sandra Aguebor, who fearlessly pursued her passion for mechanics. From humble beginnings in a small community in Benin City, Edo State, Sandra has risen to become a trailblazing figure, celebrated globally as Nigeria’s first female mechanic. Not only has she excelled in her field, but she is also empowering other women to follow in her footsteps. SONIA OKERE reports
The early times
Sandra Aguebor was born in Benin City, Edo State, where she began her education at Ivbiotor Primary School before moving on to St. Maria Goretti Grammar School. From a young age, while other girls played with dolls, Sandra was the child who loved dismantling and reassembling gadgets. At the age of 13, she persuaded her parents to register her at a garage. Initially, her father refused, but after traveling overseas and seeing female engineers, he accepted the idea and enrolled her at a local garage.
Sandra spent six years learning at the garage. She attended school in the morning and worked at the garage in the afternoon. She later attended Benin Technical College, where she took a vocational course in automobiles; and also the Auchi Polytechnic, where she obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After completing her education, she worked with Bendel Transport Service and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, where she gained valuable skills and experience.
The Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI)
After working as an employee for several years, Sandra Aguebor took a bold step and launched her first mechanic workshop in Lagos. Unfortunately, the shop was demolished, but Sandra didn’t let the setback define her. Instead, she adapted by becoming a mobile mechanic, offering on-the-spot emergency vehicle services along the Lagos freeways. Through determination and hard work, she eventually saved enough money to open two more garages in the city.
In 1994, Sandra founded the Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI) to empower women with mechanical and technical skills. LMI offers both hands-on training and classroom instruction in fields like auto mechanics, electrical work, professional driving, and repairs for generators and speedboats. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Sandra explained that as her shop’s reputation grew, she became known as the skilled female mechanic. When she started receiving many referrals, she realized she couldn’t handle the workload alone. She had to hire assistants and female apprentices. Today, Sandra has built a network of female mechanics that is spreading from one city to another.
Becoming the first female mechanic in Nigeria
According to her, the journey was far from easy. In an interview with The PUNCH, she shared that her mother vehemently opposed her decision to become a mechanic because she felt it would bring disgrace to the family. Despite criticisms and mockery, Sandra continued to build her skills. When she eventually started her garage, some customers refused to hire her because they didn’t believe a woman could do the job. She had to work 10 times harder than her male counterparts to be taken seriously. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the demolition of her first shop, she didn’t let those setbacks stop her. Today, her perseverance has paid off as she is globally recognized as the first woman to own a garage in Nigeria.
Conclusion
American actor Steve Martin once said, ‘Be so good they can’t ignore you.’ This can be seen in Sandra Aguebor’s remarkable journey. She shared that those who once mocked her for choosing a male-dominated career are now proud of her success and achievements.
Over the past two decades, Sandra’s Lady Mechanic Initiative has trained over 2,000 women to become mechanics. In 2015, she was featured in the award-winning Al Jazeera documentary titled, Sandra Aguebor: The Lady Mechanic.
She has received several accolades, including the Inspirational Woman of the Year award, as well as a National Merit Award from the Nigerian government.
