ACCI, Capital Market Academics’ President Hail Emergence of Okonjo-Iweala as WTO Boss

As Nigerians and world leaders continue to celebrate the appointment of former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) yesterday described her as “a shining light” in trade diplomacy.

Also, the President of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, said her emergence would raise the profile of the country in the international community and position Nigeria to play prominent roles in Africa, especially in relation to the AfCFTA and the Africa Agenda 2063, both of which are expected to receive support from the WTO.

ACCI President, Alhaji Abubakar Al-Mujtaba, in a statement, said apart from her time in public office, the development economist had garnered a quarter of a century’s worth of experience at the World Bank where she delivered impeccably, leading her to the top role in 2012.

He said the burden is heavy, but her track record earned her the position of the African Union Special Envoy to mobilise international support for the continent’s efforts at addressing the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al-Mujtaba expressed confidence in the capability of the new WTO DG to efficiently and creatively steer the affairs of the organisation to greater heights.

According to him, “The appointment is an acknowledgement of excellence, competence and vast experience in multilateral trade diplomacy. The world agrees that a brilliant Nigerian is needed to reform the WTO and tackle the multiple problems facing world trade.