My China-Africa story: How Chinese SOE contribut to Nigeria's first female train driver

Issah Fatimah Abiola, Nigeria's first female train driver with the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, recently spoke with Guangming Online about her career journey and the broader impact of China-Africa cooperation.

Abiola discussed how her role as a train driver is often seen as unconventional for women in Nigeria, where such positions are typically male-dominated. She credited the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a Chinese state-owned enterprise, for giving her the chance to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a train driver.

Her career has not only fulfilled her personal ambitions but also enabled her to support her family and maintain a stable livelihood. Abiola's journey has inspired many women, who now see her as a role model in a field traditionally dominated by men. She believes her experience highlights the broader impact that skills training programs can have on the Nigerian workforce.

Reflecting on the broader context of China-Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Abiola expressed optimism about the partnership's mutual benefits, especially in fostering economic growth, creating job opportunities, and improving infrastructure. She sees these initiatives as part of a larger effort to promote sustainable economic and social development in Nigeria and across Africa.