Rita Simi’s journey as Professional driver

Rita Simi Ibrahim, a dedicated driver with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has turned her childhood passion into a remarkable career. From bashing her mother’s car during her school days to becoming a professional driver for a leading humanitarian organisation, Rita’s journey is one of passion, and breaking barriers. In this interview, she shares her motivations […]

Rita Simi Ibrahim, a dedicated driver with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has turned her childhood passion into a remarkable career. From bashing her mother’s car during her school days to becoming a professional driver for a leading humanitarian organisation, Rita’s journey is one of passion, and breaking barriers. In this interview, she shares her motivations and challenges as a female driver in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her story is not just about driving; it’s about inspiring other women to pursue their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society.

 

What informed your decision to become a professional driver?

I have a passion for driving. I remember when I was in secondary school, my mom had a car and I was always in the car. I bashed the car a couple of times, and so, from there, I picked up interest in driving.

 

What kind of vehicle have you been driving?

I’ve driven small cars before with a private organization, working as one of their sales representatives. I travelled from one local government to another, after which I got a job with another NGO. So, I’ve driven big cars and small cars altogether. But in MSF, I have driven their Land Cruiser, that’s a hard top and Hilux vehicle.

 

What are the processes you followed to achieve this interest?

I saw the advert for the role of a driver by MSF, and it stated that women are strongly advised or encouraged to apply. So, I decided to give it a trial and I got the job. The process was not too hard, as long as you know the rules and regulations of driving, you have your driving licence and you can drive. The exams were about driving and how to maintain cars, so it was not difficult.

As for my motivation, it’s the passion I have. You know, when you do something with love It’s a motivation on its own. I am also motivated by the standard that MSF puts for driving because they have speed limits; 80 Kilometres is the maximum speed limit and you dare not go beyond that, which to me is very good.

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When you sat behind the wheel for the first time, how did you feel?

That was the peak of joy for me because it was unbelievable. I kept asking myself, pinching myself, ‘Simi, are you the one behind this wheel?’ I could see these small cars on the road because I was high up there in the truck. It was a good experience.  

 

Have you ever encountered problems on the road, and how did you solve them?

Yes, I have encountered a lot of problems on the road, like having a flat tyre. However, I had a particular encounter at a security checkpoint while travelling for the distribution of medical supplies. I was stopped because they had never seen an MSF female driver before. So, they were like, ‘Madam, when did you start, how did you start?’ They were impressed and at the same time, careful because it was unusual to see a woman driving such vehicles. They asked me to come down from the vehicle so they could search it to be sure I was conveying items I said I was carrying. It was kind of mixed feelings, fun, but at the same time, not fun. I had to come down from the vehicle, I had to be polite and calm. So, these are some of the experiences I’ve had.

 

What challenges are you facing as a female driver?

Driving is mostly considered a man’s job and so, as a woman coming into this field, it’s a little bit challenging because you have to meet up to the standard of the men. You know sometimes, we travel long distances and you have to sit down for hours. Because of these long hours, you could develop some health problems like back pain and other health issues.

And you know, working with a group of men, like 15 or 20 men and you are the only female among them can be challenging because you are expected to do whatever they are doing not minding that you are a woman. As a woman, sometimes you have mood swings and other female-related issues. But nobody wants to understand, everybody wants you to catch up and do what you were employed to do, that’s the only challenge I’ve faced.

 

What is your relationship like with your male colleagues?

Very good, honestly, it is cordial. There was a time that I had to meet and explain to them that I was not here to compete with them but just do the work. So, I needed their support and that’s when they began to understand and give me the needed support by teaching me lots of things like vehicle maintenance and others. They have been very supportive. But coming in as a woman among men, you need to sit up and do the work, there’s nothing like I’m a woman, I won’t do this or that.

 

As a female driver, how do you inspire other women to join the profession?

I encourage women to take to driving because it is fun. You can imagine yourself driving, let’s say, from Bauchi to Abuja, seeing a lot of cars on the way, seeing so many other things along the way, listening to music in the background and being on the alert because other road users are equally on the road. When you are driving, you see places. Since we go to rural areas for medical outreaches, you see what the people are going through, you have first-hand knowledge of how MSF is helping the vulnerable in society. Driving is a very fun-filled kind of work that is not sedentary, so if you are an active person, come and join me in driving as I’ll be willing to teach you all the ropes.

 

Would you encourage your kids to follow in your footsteps?

Yes, I would, but not just to drive, but to aspire to occupy positions that are traditionally dominated by men. It is challenging, but it’ll push them to be smarter and broaden their scope of experience.  

 

As the world marks the 2025 International Women’s Day, what is your message to women?

I greet my fellow women on this International Women’s Day. I also recognise all the contributions women are making to society by raising our children because when you raise the children, you are also raising the society. Women are doing great, but don’t just stop at the homefront; get a profession and aspire for something more because whatever you are doing, your children will also be proud of you. I have children who are proud that their mother is a female truck driver; they go out there and tell their friends that my mum drives a truck. When my daughter told her classmates that her mum drives a truck, none of them believed her.