Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Assumes Duty As WTO DG

The former Nigerian two-time finance minister is the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade organisation.

Nigerian former minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her first day at work as the director-general of World Trade Organisation, on Monday / Photo credit: thestreetjournal.org
Nigerian former minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her first day at work as the director-general of World Trade Organisation, on Monday / Photo credit: thestreetjournal.org

Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Monday assumed duty as the director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

This is coming weeks after her appointment which was was endorsed by the United States, was approved by the trade organisation.

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The former Nigerian two-time finance minister is the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade organisation.

However, her journey to the present position as the WTO boos was a long one as But her appointment was almost scuttled by the then United States President, Donald Trump, whose administration preferred South Korea’s trade minister Yoo Myung-hee for the job.

Trump administration’s insistence on Minister Yoo delayed was in spite of Okonjo-Iweala’s endorsement by the key ambassadors of the WTO last October.

The Interview Editors

Written by The Interview Editors

The Interview is a niche publication, targeting leaders and aspiring leaders in business, politics, entertainment, sports, arts, the professions and others within society’s upper middle class and high-end segment in Nigeria.