Iliyasu Isah’s NNPC Story: From Driver To Family Hero

When Iliyasu Isah joined NNPC Ltd. in 2012 as a container truck driver, he had little idea what the future held. What began as a job defined by long hours on dusty highways and the steady rhythm of an engine eventually became a personal transformation, one that redefined not just his life, but the lives of his family members, his community, and perhaps most profoundly, his perception of gender and leadership.

At the time, his goals were modest: earn a living, support his growing family, and bring honour to his household as the first son. But the road had more in store. With diligence, humility, and a commitment to excellence, Iliyasu worked his way up from logistics duties to becoming a trusted driver for NNPC’s senior management.

Then came the unexpected twist, something more profound than career growth. “All my bosses have been women,” Iliyasu shared, a gentle smile on his face. “And that experience changed my life.”

Raised in a deeply traditional northern Nigerian community, Iliyasu grew up with a cultural mindset that placed more value on sons than daughters. So when he and his wife welcomed three girls into the world, he admits he wrestled silently with feelings of inadequacy. In his words, “I kept asking myself, what legacy will I leave? Who will carry my name?” These were questions rooted in generations of inherited beliefs.

But over time, his daily exposure to strong, intelligent, and compassionate female leaders challenged those assumptions. He began to see leadership not through the lens of gender, but through values: discipline, empathy, wisdom, and courage. And slowly, something shifted.

“They didn’t just give me orders,” he explained. “They treated me with respect, they led with strength, and they brought out the best in everyone around them. That changed how I saw women—and how I saw my own daughters.”

Today, that transformation is visible in the way he speaks about his family. His pride radiates when he talks about his eldest daughter, now 22, who is pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity at the university. “She’s a genius with computers,” he said, beaming. “She teaches me things I never imagined.” His second daughter, aged 20, is studying Public Administration, inspired by a desire to one day shape public policy and serve the nation. The youngest, just 14, is finishing secondary school and already dreaming big—she wants to be a lawyer.

For Iliyasu, their success is not just a blessing, but a mission fulfilled. Through his job at NNPC Ltd., he has not only provided for his immediate family but also extended help to his wider relatives—cousins, nieces, nephews, and community members.

In his village, he is now seen as a symbol of what hard work, opportunity, and humility can achieve. People who once doubted the value of girls are now using his daughters as examples of what is possible. “Many people in my village have eaten from the fruits of my labour with this company,” he said. “I will always be thankful to NNPC Ltd. for giving me a platform to live a meaningful life.”

But perhaps the most touching moment in Iliyasu’s journey came at a national event he never expected to attend—let alone play a key role in. At the recent handing over ceremony of 35 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), Iliyasu was on duty, assigned to drive one of the official buses. It was a high-level, high-profile event, and to his surprise, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, boarded his bus—accompanied by VIP guests.

“I was nervous at first,” Iliyasu admitted. “I’ve never come close to any GCEO. I’ve never even stepped foot on the GCEO’s floor at headquarters.”

Then something unforgettable happened.

“The GCEO shook my hand. He looked me in the eye, smiled, and said thank you. That moment, it meant everything. I felt seen.”

For Iliyasu, that handshake was more than a formality. It was a moment of validation, a nod to every early morning he’d left home before sunrise, every late night spent ensuring safe travel, every quiet act of service over the years. It told him what he had come to learn in his journey with NNPC Ltd.: that every role matters, and every person matters. No contribution is too small to be honoured.

He carries that message now with pride—and with purpose. He shares it with his daughters, his colleagues, and anyone who will listen. “Leadership isn’t male or female,” he says. “It’s human. It’s about what you do for others. It’s about how you treat people, no matter who they are.”

In a world where stories of transformation often revolve around climbing corporate ladders or chasing fame, Iliyasu Isah’s story is refreshingly grounded. It is about quiet dignity, cultural evolution, and the ripple effect of being exposed to a different way of seeing the world.

Iliyasu Isah’s NNPC Story: From Driver To Family Hero is first published on The Whistler Newspaper