Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emerged the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
“Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria is appointed as the next WTO Director-General. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala makes history as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO. Her term starts on the 1st of March 2021,” WTO announced in tweet Monday.
With this, the former minister becomes the first woman and also Afrian to occupy the post. Her tenure begins on March 1.
“WTO members took the decision to appoint @NOIweala at a special meeting of the General Council, following a selection process that included eight candidates from around the world #WTODG,” the organization added.
Okonjo-Iweala’s chances for clinching the job became brighter recently when her remaining challenger, South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee, withdrew from the race for the position.
Thereafter, US President Joe Biden gave his backing to Nigeria’s former minster.
Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the new WTO chief.
“I felicitate with Dr. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, former Minister of Finance, on her emergence as the first African and first female Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in its 25-year history,” Obaseki said in a statement.
“Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a fine economist and international development expert has in time past spearheaded several World Bank initiatives as a former Managing Director (Operations) and possesses a bundle of skills and experience required for this elevated role.
“As a two-time finance minister in Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala left indelible marks as an astute manager of the nation’s economy and resources.”
He added that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will bring her wealth of experience in building stronger alliances to promote multilateral trade, instill the needed discipline to advance the development of world economies and bridge trade gaps between developed and developing economies across the globe.
“I am confident that she will exceed expectations in this new assignment,” Obaseki added.
