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2023 presidency: Okonjo-Iweala could quit WTO job

Published

3 years ago

September 30, 2021

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is considering resigning her job as Director-General at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Bloomberg reports..

The 67-year-old is only seven months into her four-year tenure.

However, it is understood Okonjo-Iweala is already frustrated with the workings of the WTO and has floated the idea of quitting if no headway can be found on critical issues.

According to the report, five trade officials, who declined to be identified, claim Okonjo-Iweala has fully grasped the frustrating reality of the WTO’s historical inertia, and has considered quitting.

The officials said she has repeatedly told ambassadors and staff that she could easily walk away from the job, reminding them she has not bought any furniture for her temporary home in Geneva.

However, she denied she is interested in running for the Nigerian presidency in 2023.

Okonjo-Iweala did not comment about her threats to step down at WTO, but denied any interest in running to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, calling such speculation “utterly ridiculous and not true”.

She added: “I just got here. I am enjoying what I’m doing. It is a very exciting job and I am trying to have some successes here.