Confirmed! Okonjo-Iweala Finally Makes History as First Woman and First African to Be WTO Director-General

A former Nigerian Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has finally been confirmed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Okonjo-Iweala would assume office on March 1, becoming the first woman and the first African to head the only global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations.

“This is a very significant moment for the WTO. On behalf of the General Council, I extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as the WTO’s next Director-General and formally welcome her to this General Council meeting.

“Dr. Ngozi, on behalf of all members, I wish to sincerely thank you for your graciousness in these exceptional months, and for your patience.

“We look forward to collaborating closely with you, Dr. Ngozi, and I am certain that all members will work with you constructively during your tenure as Director-General to shape the future of this organisation,” said WTO General Council Chair, David Walker of New Zealand who, together with co-facilitators Ambassadors Dacio Castillo (Honduras) and Harald Aspelund (Iceland) led the nine-month director-generalship selection process.

Reacting to her new assignment of first term which would expire on August 31, 2025, but subject to renewable, Okonjo-Iweala said: “It is done! Thank you WTO members for finalising my election today and making history.

“In the 73 years of GATT and WTO, I am honoured to be First Woman and First African to lead. But now the real work begins. Ready to tackle the challenges of WTO. Forget business as usual!”

The new WTO Director-General added that one of the key priorities for her would be to work with members to quickly address the economic and health consequences brought about by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to her, “A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again.

“Our organisation faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today.”

The historic decision by the WTO General Council followed months of uncertainty which arose when the former United States President Donald Trump refused to join the consensus around Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy, but rooted for South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee.

However, events took a new turn as Yoo withdrew her candidacy on February 5. Without much ado, President Joe Biden discarded the US objection and queued behind Okonjo-Iweala.

Congratulating the former Nigerian minister on her election as the WTO Director-General, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed confidence in Okonjo-Iweala’s track record of integrity, diligence and  passion for development, saying these qualities would yield positive results and rewards to humanity as she takes over the mantle of leadership at WTO.

“On behalf of the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates with former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her election as Director General of the World Trade Organisation, bringing joy and more honour to the country.

“As the Harvard-educated and renowned economist takes up another onerous task of service to the world and  humanity, the President believes her track record of integrity, diligence and  passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind.

“President Buhari affirms that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who over the years set major records of economic reforms in Nigeria as Minister of Finance, and later Minister of Foreign Affairs, will excel in her new position and validate the global mandate of repositioning and strengthening the multilateral institution for the greater good of all.

“The President joins family, friends and colleagues in wishing Dr Okonjo-Iweala well in her new endeavour,” Buhari said, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.