- Terminal Manager, APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen (left, back), with some programme managers and beneficiaries of the Female Mechanic Technical Skills Programme during its launch in Lagos…recently
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Nigeria’s largest container terminal, APM Terminals Apapa, has launched a pioneering Female Mechanic Technical Skills Programme to empower women in its host communities.
The six-month programme covers forklift and crane maintenance, automobile mechanics, electrical works and related skills. It will blend practical workshop experience with classroom-based theory and peer learning.
Unveiling the programme at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa,
the Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen, disclosed that 20 young women, aged 18 to 26, were selected after demonstrating determination and commitment during the application process.
Knudsen stressed that education and personal development are essential drivers of progress, insisting that stepping into a traditionally male-dominated profession requires courage and resilience.
While acknowledging that women remain underrepresented in technical and operational roles at the port, he explained that the new initiative would help create an inclusive environment where both gender can thrive without discrimination.
The manager further encouraged the trainees to be fully dedicated to the programme, adding that he hoped to see many of them return for internship as the company bids to build a more diverse workforce.
The company also provided the participants with protective work gear, including overalls, safety boots, helmets and gloves, urging them to prioritise their safety while proving their capabilities in the workplace. Knudsen also reminded them that resilience, self-belief and bravery are key to succeeding in their chosen fields.
Meanwhile, President of the Lady Mechanic Initiative, Sandra Aguebor, commended APM Terminals Apapa for sponsoring the training and equipping the participants with the necessary resources to excel.
She emphasized that women have a critical role in today’s rapidly evolving and increasingly automated industries, and should be afforded the opportunity to contribute meaningfully. She explained that the initiative is not only about technical skills but also about offering young women an alternative to negative societal pressures.
Aguebor thanked APM Terminals Apapa for also the trainees some stipends, stating that the gesture is an invaluable motivation and encouragement.
On their part, the beneficiaries were grateful, saying that the training is a life-changing opportunity to secure employment, while yet proving that women can excel in the traditionally male-dominated technical and mechanical roles.
