By Ubong Usoro, Nigeria Magazine
Dr. Sarah Jibril, Nigeria’s first female presidential candidate, has called on the nation’s politicians to embrace ethics and values as guiding principles in leadership. In an exclusive interview with Nigeria Magazine’s Ubong Usoro, she stressed that Nigeria’s democracy cannot survive without honesty, integrity, and accountability at the heart of governance.
Her journey in politics has been anything but ordinary. In 1992, she broke barriers by contesting the presidential primaries of the Social Democratic Party, standing as the only woman among more than twenty men. At the end of the primaries, she secured just one vote, her own. For many, that would have been the end of the road, but for Sarah Jibril it was only the beginning.
She returned to the field in 1999, 2003, and 2011, each time carrying the hope that women could be given a fair chance in Nigeria’s political system. Her persistence became a source of courage for other women who began to see a place for themselves in politics.
Beyond the campaign trail, Dr. Jibril is a trained psychologist, an educationist, and a public servant. She served as Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values, where she pushed for discipline, morality, and accountability in government.
Speaking with Nigeria Magazine, she emphasized the need for inclusivity in leadership, especially the inclusion of women and young people. “Nigerian women must be given the opportunity to lead this country,” she said. “When women and youths are involved in politics, they bring fresh ideas and moral strength. That is how nations progress.”
Today, Sarah Jibril is regarded as the matriarch of women in Nigerian politics. Her story, from the lonely one vote in 1992 to decades of advocacy for ethics and inclusivity, continues to inspire. For her, the message is clear: values must remain central to politics, and Nigeria must open its doors to women who are ready to lead.
Ubong Usoro, for Nigeria Magazine
