President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland; Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, among other key local and global figures and bodies have hailed the reappointment of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for a second term.
The United Kingdom, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and several world organisations and individuals applauded her reappointment.
Members of the WTO agreed on Friday to reappoint Okonjo-Iweala for another four-year term as chief executive officer of the global body.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described her reappointment as “global trust earned.”
The statement read: “President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, on her unanimous re-election today as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
“The renowned development economist and global finance expert made history in 2021 as the first African and first woman to lead the 164-nation-member WTO.
“Her first term as the seventh Director General of the WTO will expire on August 31, 2025, while the second term begins September.
“The Nigerian leader notes with delight that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s unanimous appointment for a second four-year term demonstrates the trust and confidence the international community places in her leadership to advance multilateral trade for sustainable global development.
“President Tinubu is confident that her continued leadership will strengthen the international economic organisation’s role as a critical pillar of inclusive global economic growth and good governance in the next four years.
“As a committed member of the WTO, ECOWAS, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria will continue to support the WTO’s mission to foster a fair, inclusive, and equitable multilateral trading system.
“President Tinubu assured Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria’s steadfast support as she consolidates her bold reforms, dedication to equitable global trade practices, and tireless efforts to promote international cooperation.”
Governor Oborevwori in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Festus Ahon, in Asaba, on Friday, expressed appreciation to relevant stakeholders of the WTO for rewarding Okonjo-Iweala with a second term after she was first appointed in 2021.
The governor said Okonjo-Iweala has had exceptional career and expertise in economics and international development with focus on economic reform, poverty reduction, and global trade, earning her numerous accolades and widespread respect.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta, I congratulate a worthy ambassador of Delta and Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her reappointment as Director General of the World Trade Organisation.
“Your reappointment is, indeed, a testament to your competence and experience as a renowned economist and international development expert.
“Your reappointment without any opposition is indeed a reflection of the hard work you put in your first appointment.
“It is our prayer that as you continue in this remarkable journey, our prayers are with you always, you will re-enact that which you have always done by bringing pride and honour to Delta and Nigeria,” Oborevwori added.
Also, in a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter), the Deputy Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Kalu said the remarkable achievement was a testament to her outstanding leadership, dedication, and tireless efforts in advancing global trade reforms and promoting economic development
He said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our dearest sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala on her reappointment as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation @wto for a second term.
“This remarkable achievement is a testament to her outstanding leadership, dedication, and tireless efforts in advancing global trade reforms and promoting economic development.
“Her visionary approach has indeed strengthened the WTO’s role in addressing complex global challenges, promoting inclusivity, and championing sustainable growth, particularly for developing nations.
“I am confident that this reappointment will have a profound impact on the global economy and I wish her more success and accomplishments as she continues to make Nigeria, Africa, and the world proud through her exceptional service.”
While congratulating her on the reappointment, the Secretary General, Commonwealth of Nations, Scotland wrote in her X handle: “Heartfelt congratulations to my dear sister, @NOIweala, on her reappointment as WTO Director General.
“@CommonwealthSec looks forward to strengthening our collaboration with @WTO to advance digital trade & promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the Commonwealth.”
In his own congratulatory message, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy wrote: “Congratulations @NOIweala on your reappointment as Director General of the @wto.
“The World Trade Organisation is a key enabler for UK growth, development and security, and the UK will continue engaging with its members on important issues.”
Also Douglas Alexander, Minister of State for Trade Policy of the United Kingdom said: “Delighted to see the re-appointment of my dear friend Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala as Director General of the @WTO.
“The UK admires her strength of leadership. We also share her vision that open and free trade can secure sustainable and inclusive growth and development.”
Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), John W.H. Denton also wrote on his X handle: “Delighted that my good friend @NOIweala has been reappointed DG of the @wto. These are certainly challenging times for multilateral cooperation but it’s great to have her at the helm.
“At the @iccwbo, we look forward to our continued cooperation with Dr. Ngozi & the WTO team.”
In an official statement on the ICC website, the body on behalf of ICC’s global network of over 45 million companies in more than 170 countries, ICC Secretary General John W.H Denton said: “We warmly welcome the appointment today of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to serve a second term as Director General of the World Trade Organisation.
“Dr. Ngozi has shown immense leadership in championing multilateral cooperation through a particularly challenging period for world trade — not least the fall out from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Retaining broad based support for the WTO will clearly be vital in the years ahead. We look forward to working with the Director General to this end — simply put, no economy will benefit from an erosion of the multilateral trade system.
“We also see an opportunity to advance pragmatic solutions through the WTO to address common trade frictions — including through coalitions of the willing where necessary.
“Action to bring greater transparency to industrial policies, enable cross-border data flows and unlock synergies between trade and sustainability objectives will be particular priorities for the global business community.”
Following her reappointment yesterday, Okonjo-Iweala will continue as the director general of the WTO for another four years, beginning from September 2025.
The reappointment process began in October and was overseen by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, chair of the general council, which saw no additional nominations submitted by the November 8 deadline, WTO said in a statement issued on Friday.
A two-day special meeting of the general council concluded Friday, in which Okonjo-Iweala outlined her forward-looking vision for the organisation, following which her appointment was endorsed by the council by consensus.
Ølberg said the director general “strengthened the WTO’s ability to support its members and set a forward-looking agenda for the organisation” amid significant global economic challenges.
Okonjo-Iweala’s first tenure began in March 2021 and is scheduled to end on August 31, 2025. She is the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO.
In September, she had stated that she would run for the post again to complete “unfinished business.”
Incidentally, Okonjo-Iweala’s second tenure coincides with the second coming of the United States President-elect Donald Trump, which analysts forecast will be challenging and is likely to be characterised by trade wars.
Trump had vowed to impose hefty tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada.
Citing trade sources, Reuters reported on Friday that the WTO meeting created a means of fast-tracking her appointment in order to avoid the potential risk of it being blocked by Trump, who,along with his teams and allies, had in the past criticised her and the WTO.
The first Trump administration in 2020 supported her rival candidate and wanted to block her first term. She was only able to secure the US backing when Joe Biden became President in January 2021.
The WTO is likely to be a venue where rising trade tensions between the US and China will play out. Trump’s trade team is expected to challenge Beijing’s “developing country” status at the organisation, which is believed to give it an unfair advantage.
Deji Elumoye, Ndubuisi Francis and Oluchi Chibuzor
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