Nigeria’s transport and automotive industry has seen a transformative shift, with women, once seen as participants, now taking on leadership roles and shaping the sector’s future.
From boardrooms to workshops, women are now taking charge of the industry dominated by men. They are reshaping how cars move around, providing solutions that streamline Nigeria’s transport landscape.
With over twenty years of experience in the industry, they are leading projects, shaping policy that impacts the economy and the future of mobility sustainably.
As the industry faces rising costs and infrastructure gaps, and as the shift towards cleaner mobility is accelerating, these women are setting the agenda and redefining mobility in the country.
Read also: Suzuki by CFAO trains women mechanics to bridge auto skills gap
In no particular order, here are 10 women shaping Nigeria’s transport and automotive industry.
Sandra Aguebor
Sandra Aguebor, born in Benin, is Nigeria’s first female mechanic, who has used her expertise to empower over 1,000 women, teaching them how to fix cars and challenging stereotypes in a male-dominated field.
In her early teens, she was fascinated by motors and engines, and was inspired by her father to pursue her dream of becoming a lady mechanic. Against many odds, she earned her degree in mechanical engineering.
Sandra’s journey, starting as an engineer and moving on to open her own auto shop in Lagos, shows a powerful testament to resilience, strength, and breaking barriers. By teaching women to care for vehicles, she’s also teaching them to care for themselves, instilling confidence in their abilities both inside and out.
Abimbola Akinajo
Abimbola Akinajo is a chartered civil engineer with over 30 years of experience in transport infrastructure.
Currently serving as the managing director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has led major projects like the Blue and Red Line Rail, bus terminals, and e-ticketing via Cowry Card.
Her career spans the planning, design, and delivery of major transport infrastructure projects, particularly in the rail and road sectors.
Ogochukwu Ugboma
Ogochukwu Ugboma is a distinguished academic and transport expert with a proficient bias in logistics, supply chain management, urban mobility, and maritime transportation.
Ugboma is the dean of the School of Transport and Logistics at Lagos State University, with over 15 years in academia, where she integrates students into the transport, logistics, and supply chain sector.
Her research interests are in supply chain management, urban mobility, data analytics, and maritime transportation.
Eno-Obong Essien
Eno-Obong Essien is the founder & CEO of Rheytrak Limited, the first female-led vehicle tracking and recovery firm in Nigeria.
Essien has remained a key voice in telematics and vehicle security solutions and redefined what it means to excel in a traditionally male-dominated field.
As the visionary leader of Rheytrak Limited, she continues to inspire and pave the way for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, in the technology and business sectors.
Nicolette Udo
Nicolette Udo is the founder & CEO of Eight Drive, an online luxury car dealership specialised in high-end makes like Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover.
Udo is also a certified automotive vinyl installer, offering premium car-wrapping and customisation services to celebrities in Nigeria.
Chinazom Arinze
Chinazom Arinze is the founder & CEO of AutoGirl, a mobility platform that offers car rentals, sales, maintenance, diagnostics, including boats and jets.
Arinze has positioned AutoGirl as a female-led automotive innovator, empowering women on how to drive, serving both individuals and businesses, with over 3,000 completed rides and expansion beyond Lagos.
Olayemi Dickson
Olayemi Funmilayo Dickson is a Research Officer and Transport Specialist at the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) with over 14 years of experience in policy research, evaluation, and technology-driven development.
Her work spans inclusive mobility, transport planning and policy, sustainable urban mobility, logistics, and technology and innovation management to advance sustainable and inclusive transport systems that enhance accessibility and improve quality of life across Nigeria.
Ebere Anenih
Ebere Anenih is the managing director of Weststar Associates, the authorised general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria.
Anenih plays a significant role in the corporate automotive landscape, where she’s recognised for her leadership and contributions to the industry’s growth.
Damilola Olokesusi
Damilola Olokesusi, Co-Founder & CEO, Shuttlers, is recognised for building Shuttlers, a scheduled shuttle mobility platform that addresses urban commuting challenges and contributes to Nigeria’s transport ecosystem.
Shuttlers is revolutionising how professionals and organisations commute in the ever-busy Lagos and Abuja metropolis.
Odunayo Ani
Odunayo Boyepe Ani is a distinguished Nigerian chartered accountant, author, and maritime expert, currently serving as a director of internal audit at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and as the president of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, where she advocates for gender equity and innovation in the maritime sector.
She is a prominent voice in the Nigerian maritime industry, often speaking on topics like safe shipping, seafarer training, and blue economy development, with over 30 years of experience in finance, taxation, and auditing in maritime finance.
