Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

By Nimot Adetola Sulaimon

Nigerian economist and international development expert, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has reacted after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accepted her nomination for the position of its director-general.

Despite protests by the Egyptian government who nominated Mr Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh for the same position. Egypt opposed Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination on grounds of it being belated.

The North African country told the African Union (AU) not to recognize her nomination, as members of AU had been directed to nominate candidates for the director-general position since November 30, 2019.

Meanwhile, the request to substitute Nigeria’s Yonok Frederick Agah with Okonjo-Iweala was made on June 4, 2020.

WTO, however, said in a statement released on Tuesday, June 9, that nominations are still open till July 8, 2020

Reacting to the news, Okonjo-Iweala said; ”Thanks to the FT for this important contribution and for highlighting my candidacy. The WTO must be reformed to work for the benefit of all its members”.