Dr. NGOZI Okonjo-Iweala, the new WTO DG.
By Dili Utomi
Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and renowned economist, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been named as the first female and first African head of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Okonjo-Iweala was officially announced at a special general meeting.
“WTO members have just agreed to appoint Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next director-general,” the global trade body said in a statement, adding that the former Nigerian finance minister and World Bank veteran will take up her post on March 1st.
The former Minister had, a few days ago, received the backing of the administration of US President Joe Biden for the role.
The new DG WTO, Dr. NGOZI Okonjo-Iweala.
The US Trade Representative in a statement cited her “wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy” and said she had “proven experience managing a large international organization.”
Okonjo-Iweala was challenged by South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-Hee who later withdrew from the race for the position.
