ECOWAS Endorses Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala As WTO DG

The Economic Community of West African States {ECOWAS} has certified the candidacy of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the position of director-General of the World Trade Organisation. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger made the statement on behalf of the Ecowas Heads Of State and Government.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala was nominated for the position as the WTO DG by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Ecowas leaders spoke highly of Dr Okonjo Iweala’s very rich background in international trade affairs and that her endorsement by the ECOWAS leaders was conditioned on her prestigious and illustrious academic background and over 30 years of experience as a Development Economist. The leaders of the regional bloc “acknowledged the strong academic and professional background of Dr Okonjo-Iweala and her very large experience in national affairs as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister briefly in 2006”.

The leaders also called on other African and non-African States to support the former minister.

Nominations for the job are expected to close on July 8 following which candidates will be invited to meet with WTO Council members at a special General Council meeting.

The successful candidate will succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced that he will step down on August 31. Photo Credit: Getty

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