By Seyi Babalola
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reappointed Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General for a second term.
The WTO revealed this in a post on X on Friday.
The World Trade Organization’s General Council declared that the reappointment would take effect on September 1, 2025.
The Council unanimously voted to reappoint Okonjo-Iweala as DG for a second four-year term, emphasizing that the decision reflects widespread acknowledgment of her extraordinary leadership and strategic vision for the WTO’s future.
The reappointment process began on October 8, 2024, and was managed by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council.
“With no additional nominations submitted by the November 8 deadline, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stood as the sole candidate. The process was conducted in a fully open and transparent manner, adhering to the WTO’s ‘Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General’ (WT/L/509).
“During a special General Council meeting on November 28-29, 2024, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala outlined her forward-looking vision for the WTO. Following her presentation and a Q&A session with members, the Council formally endorsed her reappointment by consensus.”
“The General Council commends Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her outstanding leadership during her first term. Amid significant global economic challenges, she strengthened the WTO’s ability to support its members and set a forward-looking agenda for the organization. Her leadership was instrumental in securing meaningful outcomes at pivotal moments, including the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), where major milestones were achieved.”
Daily Sun recalls that Okonjo-Iweala first assumed office as Director-General on March 1, 2021, becoming the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.
