Okonjo-Iweala Emerges First Female WTO DG

Nigeria’s former minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala has emerged as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

In a keenly contested race, the ex-minister defeated her South Korean counterpart and current trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee to clinch the coveted position.

The former minister will officially be announced today (October 28) by WTO’s General Council led by Ambassador David Walker.

Okonjo-Iweala has served as finance minister under two Nigerian Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

She has experience working with International governance bodies and has worked as a former managing director of the World Bank, and Chairman, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

With this appointment, Iweala begins her four-year term as the DG of the world trade body.