Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala may be named the new director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
According to Reuters, a key group of WTO ambassadors proposed Okonjo-Iweala to lead the trade organisation on Wednesday, clearing a path for her to become the first woman and African to head the global watchdog in its 25-year history.
Okonjo-Iweala was chosen as the final candidate for the much-coveted role. She polled 104 votes from 164 member countries to defeat how South Korea’s trade minister at the final stage of the race.
She has broken many records, including becoming the first African to occupy that office at the WTO.
The official announcement is, however, expected to be made by the WTO later today.
Efforts to reach Okonjo Iweala’s spokesperson, Paul Nwabuikwu, for comments proved abortive as his line rang out, reports The Punch.
The candidacy of the former World Bank Managing Director received a huge boost on Monday when the 27-member states of the European Union backed her for the job.
The 55-member African Union had also supported the former Nigerian finance minister over her sole remaining opponent, Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea.
Okonjo-Iweala had also won the goodwill of a group of Caribbean and Pacific States as well as others from Asia.
