Driving Is for Men Only. This Woman Is Breaking the Myth.

Millions of Nigerian women own and drive cars but being a woman and a professional driver does not carry the highest job appeal for many. Victoria, who works for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Abuja, is one of a few women who are breaking the myth that driving is a man’s job.

“Many people are very surprised when they see me working as a driver,” says Victoria. “I hear them argue: ‘It’s a man’; ‘no, it’s a woman’. When I come down from the vehicle and they see that it is truly a woman at the wheels, some are like ‘wow!’”

Since her first employment as a driver in 2011 with ACTIONAID Nigeria, Victoria has learned to live with being the centre of attention, especially in rural areas. She focuses on her work and impressed her former employers when she even undertook missions where she drove from Nigeria to other countries including neighboring Cameroon and Benin.

“The work we are doing at WFP helps to reduce hunger and I am helping to drive out hunger from the land.”

Since she joined WFP, in March 2017, she is even more motivated because of what she views as the organization’s grand purpose for humanity.

Victoria believes working for WFP is a call to serve.

“What pushes me is that I am a humanitarian worker,” she says. “A lot of people are hungry. The work we are doing at WFP helps to reduce hunger and I am helping to drive out hunger from the land.”

Her colleagues at WFP — both men and women — recognize her dedication, courtesy and humility. They treat her with dignity and respect. She explains that she has not suffered from gender-based discrimination or bias.

But the journey has not been without challenges. When she got her first driving job, it took her several weeks to muster courage to announce it to her husband because of the perception that professional driving is reserved for men. He was initially unhappy but later gave her support and encouragement.

Victoria has been able to strike a delicate balance between her work and her family life.

“It is not easy for a woman but I manage to balance everything,” says the mother of three children. “After work, I create time for my kids. I check their homework and prepare the things they need for school. My husband is very understanding and very supportive.”

Keeping focus today to become a Nigerian Ambassador tomorrow.

At WFP, the work schedule is also adapted to encourage her continue with her career. As a breastfeeding mother she is exempted from night shifts and field assignments.

“I am very happy with my work. My work does not affect my family life in any negative way…my work has changed a lot of things for me,” says Victoria.

Her ambition is to become a United Nations international staff member in the next ten years and possibly an ambassador of her country someday. She is taking a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and is also studying part time for a degree in food and nutrition from the National Open University of Nigeria.

A woman can do any job including that of a professional driver, says Victoria Madukaji.