The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Director-General for a second term.
The WTO General Council stated that the reappointment will take effect on September 1, 2025, stressing that it agreed by consensus to reappoint Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala as DG for a second four-year term following a broad recognition of her exceptional leadership and strategic vision for the future of the global organisation.
According to the Council, the reappointment process, initiated on October 8, 2024, and was overseen by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council.
It states, “With no additional nominations submitted by the November 8 deadline, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stood as the sole candidate. The process was conducted in a fully open and transparent manner, adhering to the WTO’s ‘Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General’ (WT/L/509).
“During a special General Council meeting on November 28-29, 2024, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala outlined her forward-looking vision for the WTO. Following her presentation and a Q&A session with members, the Council formally endorsed her reappointment by consensus.
“The General Council commends Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her outstanding leadership during her first term. Amid significant global economic challenges, she strengthened the WTO’s ability to support its members and set a forward-looking agenda for the organization. Her leadership was instrumental in securing meaningful outcomes at pivotal moments, including the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), where major milestones were achieved.”
Reacting, 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 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 noted 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 expressed the confidence 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.
“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,” he said, according to Bayo Onanuga his Special Adviser on information and strategy.
The President Tinubu also assured 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
