By Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, on her unanimous re-election as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), President Tinubu described Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment as a reflection of the trust and confidence the international community places in her leadership to advance multilateral trade for sustainable global development.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a renowned development economist and global finance expert, made history in 2021 as the first African and first woman to lead the 164-member WTO. Her first term as the seventh Director-General will expire on August 31, 2025, with her second term commencing on September 1, 2025.
The president expressed optimism that her continued leadership would further solidify the WTO’s role as a critical pillar of inclusive global economic growth and good governance in the coming years.
He emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the WTO’s mission, as well as its alignment with regional and global economic frameworks such as ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President Tinubu assured Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria’s unwavering support as she builds on her bold reforms, champions equitable global trade practices, and fosters international cooperation to promote sustainable development.
