Dr. Ngozi Ononjo-Iweala
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination has been accepted by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as one of the candidates for the office of the director-general of the organisation.
Said the organisation on its website: “Nigeria, on 9 June 2020, nominated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will step down on 31 August 2020″.
When President Muhammadu Buhari endorsed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) top job, Egypt went on the offensive, arguing that the executive decision of the African Union (AU) which had set a deadline of November 30, 2019 for African countries to nominate candidates had been violated.
They claimed Iweala’s nomination was late and should not be recognised.
The WTO, however, said on Tuesday that nominations were still open till July 8, 2020.
Said WTO: “According to the timetable announced by the Chair of the General Council, David Walker, the nomination period will close on 8 July, 2020.
“Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will be invited to meet with members at a special General Council meeting, present their views and take questions from the membership”.
Okonjo-Iweala is replacing Yonov Frederick Agah, Nigeria’s ambassador/permanent representative to the WTO.
