29th November, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated 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, in a statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga on Friday, noted with delight that Okonjo-Iweala’s unanimous appointment for a second four-year term demonstrated the trust and confidence the international community placed 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.
“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,” the statement said.
Tinubu assured Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria’s steadfast support as she consolidated her bold reforms, dedication to equitable global trade practices, and tireless efforts to promote international cooperation.
