Tag: Okonjo-Iweala

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other eminent Nigerians  have  extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her historic reappointment as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In a unanimous decision, the 164-member international trade body reaffirmed its trust in the Nigerian economist, securing her second four-year term, which begins on September 1, 2025.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, renowned for her expertise in global finance and development economics, initially made history in 2021 as the first African and the first woman to lead the WTO.

Her leadership has been pivotal in steering the organization through critical challenges in global trade and advocating for a fair and sustainable multilateral trading system.

In a statement issued yesterday  by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu lauded the reappointment as a testament to the global community’s confidence in Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s ability to advance multilateral trade for sustainable development.

He praised her dedication to reforming the WTO and fostering international economic cooperation, expressing optimism about her continued efforts to strengthen the organization’s role in driving inclusive global growth.

The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for Dr. Okonjo-Iweala as she embarks on her second term, expressing confidence that her leadership would bring transformative progress to global trade governance.

“President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, on her unanimous re-election today as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

“The renowned development economist and global finance expert made history in 2021 as the first African and first woman to lead the 164-nation-member WTO.

“Her first term as the seventh Director-General of the WTO will expire on August 31, 2025, while the second term begins September 1.

“The Nigerian leader notes with delight that Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s unanimous appointment for a second four-year term demonstrates the trust and confidence the international community places in her leadership to advance multilateral trade for sustainable global development.

“President Tinubu is confident that her continued leadership will strengthen the international economic organisation’s role as a critical pillar of inclusive global economic growth and good governance in the next four years.

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“As a committed member of the WTO, ECOWAS, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria will continue to support the WTO’s mission to foster a fair, inclusive, and equitable multilateral trading system.

“President Tinubu assures Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria’s steadfast support as she consolidates her bold reforms, dedication to equitable global trade practices, and tireless efforts to promote international cooperation”, the statement said.

Okonjo-Iweala’s enviable feat also received thumbs up from Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Benjamin Kalu who described her as a rare African gem with a rare commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Kalu said Okonjo-Iweala has left footprints in the sands of time and the annals of world’s history as the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organisation as Director-General.

He said: “I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to you on your re-appointment as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to serve for second term.

“This well-deserved recognition is a testament to your exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to promoting global economic growth and stability.

“Your re-appointment is a vote of confidence in your ability to navigate the complex and ever-changing global economic landscape. Your expertise, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach have been instrumental in shaping policies that have positively impacted economies around the world.

“I look forward to your continued leadership and innovative approach to addressing the world’s most pressing economic challenges. Your commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth is truly inspiring, and I am confident that your re-appointment will have a profoundly positive impact on the global economy.

“Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this outstanding achievement, once again. I wish you continued success and look forward to your future endeavours.”

Also congratulating  the  illustrious Deltan from Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Festus Ahon, in Asaba, yesterday, expressed appreciation to relevant stakeholders of the WTO for rewarding Okonjo-Iweala with a second term after she was first appointed in 2021. 

The governor said Okonjo-Iweala has had exceptional career and expertise in economics and international development with focus on economic reform, poverty reduction, and global trade, earning her numerous accolades and widespread respect.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta, I congratulate a worthy ambassador of Delta and Nigeria, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her reappointment as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

“Your appointment is, indeed, a testament to your competence and experience as a renowned economist and international development expert.

“Your reappointment without any opposition is indeed a reflection of the hard work you put in your first appointment.

“It is our prayer that as you continue in this remarkable journey, our prayers are with you always, you will re-enact that which you have always done by bringing pride and honour to Delta and Nigeria,” Oborevwori added.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is set to convene a special General Council meeting to advance the next Director-General’s selection process.

This was contained in a statement by the Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway on Tuesday, stating the meeting holds on November 28-29, 2024.

The meeting follows the announcement by the Chair on November 9 that no candidates for the position of Director-General had emerged by the November 8, nomination deadline, other than the incumbent Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

In his communication to members, Ambassador Ølberg said that, based on his contacts with delegations over the past days, and as has been done in past instances where the incumbent Director-General was the only candidate, he intends to convene a special formal meeting of the General Council on 28 and 29 November.

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The first day of the General Council meeting would allow members to hear a presentation from DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session, the Chair said.

The second day could then provide an opportunity for members to decide on the appointment of the next Director-General.

On October 8, the WTO formally commenced the process for appointing its next Director-General, with members given until the 8th of November to submit nominations.

DG Okonjo-Iweala’s current term comes to an end on 31 August 2025.

Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala  is set for re-election as director-general of  the World Trade Organisation (WTO) after  emerging as the sole candidate at the close of nomination for the position yesterday.

The WTO confirmed the development in a statement yesterday.

“Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council, informed WTO members on 9 November that no further nominations for the position of Director-General had been received by the deadline of 8 November and that the incumbent Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is therefore the only candidate for the role,” the WTO said.

It added:“Director-General Okonjo-Iweala confirmed her willingness to serve a second four-year term in the role in a letter to the Chair on 16 September. On 8 October, the WTO formally commenced the process for appointing its next Director-General, with members given until 8 November to submit nominations.”

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 The WTO said the chair of the General Council will communicate the next steps in this process in the coming days.

 “The process was led by the General Council Chair in accordance with the WTO’s “Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General,” the organisation said.

 Okonjo-Iweala’s present term will end on 31 August 2025.

 She became WTO DG on February 15,2021, the first woman and African to lead the trade organisation.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to head the World Trade Organisation (WTO), will seek a second four-year term when her mandate expires next August, her spokesman said yesterday.

 “We can confirm that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has officially announced her intention to seek a second term as Director-General of the WTO,” spokesman Ismaila Dieng said in a statement.

Dieng said the 70-year-old had taken into account “the overwhelming and broad-based support expressed by members”.

Her current term at the helm of the 166-member WTO ends in August 2025.

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Her decision to seek another term was officially communicated to WTO chair Norwegian Ambassador Petter Olberg on Monday.

The WTO’s African Group formally requested that she make herself available for a second term at that same meeting, and proposed that the process to re-nominate her should begin as soon as possible.

So far no other candidates have come forward.

Okonjo-Iweala, who took over in March 2021, has hinged her leadership on breathing new life into the sclerotic organisation.

The former foreign and finance minister of Nigeria sold herself as someone who can bang heads together and get business done.