Mek Experts has organised a mid-year relaxation evening for city mechanics to recognise the technicians who keep vehicles, businesses and daily life moving across Nigeria.

The gathering is aims at restoring pride in the trade, strengthen professional networks and highlight the human cost of work that is often taken for granted.

Founder, Mek Experts, Deji Olatunji, said the idea grew from an overlooked truth. “Mechanics keep society moving, yet the people behind the repairs are rarely recognised for the value they create,” Olatunji explained. People see the finished vehicle, he noted, but seldom the long hours, diagnostic pressure, physical strain and demanding customers that sit behind every successful repair. The evening is intended as a clear statement: “we see you, we appreciate you, and your work matters.”

Beyond rest and connection, the event seeks to shift how society views the profession. “We want mechanics to feel seen, valued and proud of the profession they have chosen,” Olatunji said.

Organisers hope it will encourage knowledge-sharing, build networks and open conversations about industry challenges. The longer goal is to move public perception “from simply being people who ‘fix cars’ to being recognised as skilled technical professionals who play a critical role in keeping people, businesses and the economy moving.”

Health is a central pillar. In partnership with WHO and BGS, the programme includes health talks and free checks. Olatunji stressed that mechanics routinely face physical strain, heat, chemicals, fumes and noise, yet often lack time or resources for preventive care. “The health of mechanics is often overlooked while they focus on keeping other people’s vehicles and businesses running,” he said. Bringing screening and awareness to them forms part of a wider message that a mechanic’s wellbeing matters as much as the work itself.

The evening will also feature a lecture on AI-powered vehicle diagnostics. Olatunji described the session as an introduction to using AI for interpreting fault codes, tackling complex problems and improving accuracy as vehicles become more sophisticated. “AI will not replace the skilled mechanic; it will empower the mechanic to work smarter, faster and more accurately,” he said.

The same theme underpins the new #MechanicsLiveMatters community, which aims to place technicians at the centre of conversations about skills, technology, health and professional dignity rather than treating them only as people who repair machines.

Olatunji’s message to mechanics and industry professionals is direct: “Your work matters, your expertise matters, and you matter.” He urged them to embrace technology, continuous learning and mutual support while protecting their health, so that mechanics are recognised as respected professionals helping to move Nigeria and Africa forward.