The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has accepted the nomination
of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as one of the candidates for the office of
the director-general of the organisation.
“Nigeria, on 9 June 2020, nominated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for
the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current
Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will
step down on 31 August 2020,” the organisation said on its
website.
When President Muhammadu Buhari endorsed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) top job, Egypt went on the
offensive.
Egypt argued that the executive decision of the African Union
(AU) which had set a deadline of November 30, 2019 for African
countries to nominate candidates had been violated.
They claimed Iweala’s nomination was late and should not be
recognised.
The current WTO Director-General, Mr. Roberto Azevêdo announced
he will step down on August 31, 2020.
“According to the timetable announced by the Chair of the
General Council, David Walker, the nomination period will close on
8 July 2020,” a statement on the WTO website said.
“Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will
be invited to meet with members at a special General Council
meeting, present their views and take questions from the
membership.”
Other nominees for the post, so far, include Mr. Jesús Seade
Kuri of Mexico and Mr. Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a world-renowned economist and
international development.
She currently sits on the Boards of Standard Chartered Bank,
Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the
African Risk Capacity.
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has accepted the nomination
of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as one of the candidates for the office of
the director-general of the organisation.
“Nigeria, on 9 June 2020, nominated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for
the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current
Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will
step down on 31 August 2020,” the organisation said on its
website.
When President Muhammadu Buhari endorsed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) top job, Egypt went on the
offensive.
Egypt argued that the executive decision of the African Union
(AU) which had set a deadline of November 30, 2019 for African
countries to nominate candidates had been violated.
They claimed Iweala’s nomination was late and should not be
recognised.
The current WTO Director-General, Mr. Roberto Azevêdo announced
he will step down on August 31, 2020.
“According to the timetable announced by the Chair of the
General Council, David Walker, the nomination period will close on
8 July 2020,” a statement on the WTO website said.
“Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will
be invited to meet with members at a special General Council
meeting, present their views and take questions from the
membership.”
Other nominees for the post, so far, include Mr. Jesús Seade
Kuri of Mexico and Mr. Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a world-renowned economist and
international development.
She currently sits on the Boards of Standard Chartered Bank,
Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the
African Risk Capacity.

