Meet a wave-making female auto mechanic in Gowon Estate

By: Edwin Nwachukwu

Lagos, April 10, 2024 – A 25-year-old student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, a Department of the Institute of Technology, Miss Akanni Taiwo Rofiat is a centre of attraction in the Gowon Estate area of Lagos, as she makes significant strides in the field of auto mechanic as a repairer. 

Rofiat is the only female auto mechanic apprentice in a male-dominated profession in Gowon Estate, located within the Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos state.  

She has this to say: ”My name is Akanni Taiwo Rofiat, I am 25 years old; I am a student of the Institute of Technology, Kwara Poly, I am from a family of 5, the third in the family.  

”Being a mechanical engineer has been my dream since childhood; the job has been challenging and rewarding. It’s challenging because it’s a male-dominated field, and I sometimes face discrimination. ‘Being a mechanical engineer has been my dream since childhood; the job has been challenging and rewarding. It’s challenging because it’s a male-dominated field, and I sometimes face discrimination.

”It’s also very rewarding because I love working on cars and helping people. I’m passionate about my job, and I feel like I’m making a difference in people’s lives.

”I’m always curious to know about the motion of cars and their dynamics. I have been an apprentice for the past six years,” she said.

Rofiat said that her pains are that being a female comes with some peculiarities.

”It is hard to be a female motor mechanic especially here in Nigeria because many people are spiteful and petty; these are some of the problems I face as a female. I have continued to stay focused on my ultimate objective and not succumb to those bent on discouraging my ambition.

”I have been working extra hard to prove to my male colleagues that I am also capable of doing what they can do. I give all glory to the Almighty God because He has given me the strength to withstand pressures.

”One of my current best achievements has been to be among the best in the profession.

”In the long term, I would love to work for a major automotive company or even start my own business. I believe that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. My goal is to inspire the girl-child. If I can do it, then they can do it too.

”I need to go higher in my education to improve my competence. But more importantly, I need financial support to acquire the right tools of my own.”