As The WTO Leader, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Had Experienced A Civil War In Nigeria

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. (Wikimedia Commons/World Economic Forum)

JAKARTA - Experienced economist and former Minister of Finance of Nigeria, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala made history, after being elected as the first African woman to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The former World Bank official was elected at a special WTO general board meeting held online on Monday, February 15. She will serve as Director-General from March 1, 2021, to August 31, 2025.

“What (WTO) needs is someone who has the ability to push for reform, who knows the trade and who doesn't want to see business as usual. And that's me," she told Reuters.

Born in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala's experience is capable, where she is a veteran of the World Bank, where she served for 25 years, overseeing a portfolio worth USD 81 billion.

Okonjo-Iweala received economic development provisions from Harvard University, after previously experiencing civil war in Nigeria as a teenager. She holds MA and Ph.D. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In 2003, she returned to Nigeria to serve as Minister of Finance. Thanks to her expertise, Nigeria was able to cancel billions of dollars in debt with the Paris Club creditor countries in 2005.

Apart from the Minister of Finance, the wife of Ikemba Iweala was also Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria from June 21 - August 30, 2006. As well as the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Nigeria from August 17, 2011, to May 29, 2015.

"She brings reputation, she brings experience, network, and temperament to try to get things done, which I think is very welcome," said former WTO chief Pascal Lamy.

"In my opinion, she is a good choice. The key to her success is her ability to operate in the middle of the 'triangle of the US, EU, and China," added Lamy.

With a series of experiences, this woman who is familiarly called Dr. Ngozi is still considered by Donald Trump to be inexperienced, compared to the WTO leader candidate from South Korea Yoo Myung-hee.

Raised by academics, this mother of four has earned a reputation for her hard work and simplicity amid the grandeur of the Nigerian government class. At least that was said by those who knew her figure.

"She was persistent and headstrong," said Kingsley Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Nigerian Central Bank who worked with her when she became the country's first female finance minister.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari welcomed her election, saying it brought more joy and honor to his country. Her appointment was also welcomed by people on the streets of the Nigerian capital.