BREAKING: Okonjo-Iweala set to lead WTO — Report

Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is set to become the new director-general of the World Trade Organisation.

According to Reuters, a key group of WTO ambassadors proposed Okonjo-Iweala to lead the trade organisation on Wednesday, clearing a path for her to become the first woman and African to head the global watchdog in its 25-year history..

The official announcement is, however, expected to be made by the WTO later today.

Efforts to reach Okonjo Iweala’s spokesperson, Paul Nwabuikwu, for comments proved abortive as his line rang out. He was also yet to respond to text messages sent to his line as of the time of filing this report.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the candidacy of the former World Bank director received a huge boost on Monday when the 27-member states of the European Union backed her for the job.

The 55-member African Union had also supported the former Nigerian former finance minister over her sole remaining opponent, Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea.

Okonjo-Iweala had also won the goodwill of a group of Caribbean and Pacific States as well as others from Asia.


The final winner between the two women will replace Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo and former director-general of the WTO.

The initial pool of eight candidates for the WTO’s top post, which has been whittled down over two rounds of consultations, had included three Africans – Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya.

Details later…

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