“We’ll make WTO stronger, better and firmer”-Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s richest person and Africa’s pride,  has joined world leaders and eminent Nigerians to congratulate Nigeria’s former finance minister,  Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the World Trade Organisation, WTO.

Okonjo-Iweala breaks a 26-year record and makes history as the first African and first female boss of the global trade and dispute settlement organisation.

Describing her feat as “historic”, Dangote said “Congratulations to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first African and female DG, WTO”.

“We are proud of your historic emergence and confident in your ability to rebuild the World Trade Organisation and enhance global trade and economic development.”, Dangote said.

In a statement after the ratification of her selection Iweala said, “I am honoured to have been selected by members as WTO director-general”

“A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic”.

“I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again”.

“Our organisation faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today.”

The WTO Director General is expected resume duty on March 1, while her first term which is renewable will expire on August 31, 2025.