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Tokunbo Adegoju has become one of Nigeria’s few female senior automotive technicians, using her expertise to diagnose vehicle problems for motorists both in the workshop and through radio programmes in Lagos.
Adegoju, who works at Auto Medics in Lagos, has gained recognition for helping drivers identify possible car faults through the “Auto Medics” segment on Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM and Eko FM.
During one of her radio sessions, a caller described a Toyota that made a rattling sound only when idling. By asking a few questions about the vehicle’s condition, Adegoju was able to narrow down possible causes and advise the motorist on what to check.
Although she is now known as a car expert, Adegoju never planned to become a mechanic. She initially wanted to study medicine, a dream encouraged by her grandfather, who bought her medical tools as a child.
However, her interest in fixing things gradually shaped her career path.
From repairing electrical items at home to assisting her father with basic vehicle maintenance, Adegoju discovered her passion for solving technical problems. A road accident later changed her plans to study medicine.
“The sight of blood, I was shivering, and I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t think it’s for me,” she recalled.
She later embraced automotive repair after her husband encouraged her to pursue training at Auto Medics.
“He heard somebody talking on radio, the radio program I run now, and he was like, ‘Oh, this thing, this person is doing it, but you can do it better. I believe you can do it better. Why don’t you go for the training?’” she said.
Engineer Kunle Shonaike, founder of Auto Medics, said cultural barriers have contributed to the low number of women in the automotive industry but noted that the situation is changing.
“Cultural attitude has a lot. Cultural barrier has a lot to do with women not well represented in the automotive field, but I believe it’s changing,” Shonaike said.
He added that vocational skills remain important to economic growth because skilled workers help build and maintain critical infrastructure.
“Vocational jobs or experience is very vital to any economy. They are the builders of the economy because they are the ones that actually build and repair,” he said.
Adegoju had to prove herself during her training, where she was tested on the physical demands of working in a workshop, including lifting vehicles, handling tyres and using equipment.
“They want to test your strength. They make sure you understand this isn’t a job you’ve come to paint your nails for,” she said.
Today, Adegoju is not only a senior technician but also mentors young mechanics, including women hoping to enter the male-dominated field.
One of her trainees, Johnny Onyeka Justin, described her as his “Workshop Mom,” praising her dedication and skills.
“She’s the first woman I’ve seen in this field who moves like that with real action,” he said.
Adegoju continues to combine her work at the workshop with her radio programmes, where she helps motorists understand vehicle issues before visiting a mechanic.
Through her work, she is changing perceptions about women in technical careers and proving that expertise, not gender, determines success in the automotive industry.
Credit: Dorcas Sheffy Bello by Bird Story Agency.
