The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed that Nigerian Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will run unopposed for a second term as its director-general.
In a statement released on Saturday, the organization disclosed that Okonjo-Iweala expressed her willingness to serve a second four-year term on September 16.
The WTO further stated that Okonjo-Iweala is the sole candidate for the position.
The process to appoint the next director-general officially began on October 8, with WTO members given until November 8 to submit nominations.
In a message to members, Petter Olberg, chair of the WTO’s General Council, confirmed that no additional nominations were received by the November 8 deadline.
“Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to Members a consolidated list of candidatures received for the post of Director-General immediately after the close of the nomination period, in this case 8 November 2024.
“I would like to advise members that at the end of the nomination period the only candidacy received for this post is from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent director-general.
“The notification received from Dr Okonjo-Iweala pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, was circulated to all Members together with my communication in document JOB/GC/406, dated 16 September 2024,” the statement read.
The organisation stated that the general council chair would soon provide an update on the next steps in the process.
The WTO further noted that Okonjo-Iweala’s current term as director-general is set to end on August 31, 2025.
Notable appointments of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala:
*International Appointments:*
1. Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO) (2021-present)
2. Chair, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) (2016-2020)
3. Managing Director, World Bank (2007-2011)
4. Member, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board (2003-2006)
5. Member, United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda (2012-2013)
6. Member, World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Agenda Council on Economic Growth and Development (2012-2014)
7. Member, African Development Bank (AfDB) Economic Advisory Council (2013-2015)
*Nigerian Government Appointments:*
1. Minister of Finance (2003-2006, 2011-2015)
2. Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006)
3. Chair, National Economic Intelligence Committee (2003-2006)
4. Chair, Presidential Committee on NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) (2003-2006)
5. Member, Nigerian Economic Advisory Council (2010-2011)
*Other Appointments:*
1. Chair, African Risk Capacity (ARC) (2014-present)
2. Chair, Board of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) (2014-present)
3. Member, Board of Trustees, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2015-present)
4. Member, Board of Directors, Standard Chartered Bank (2017-present)
5. Member, International Advisory Council, Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government (2017-present)
*Honorary Positions:*
1. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Yale University (2015)
2. Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Edinburgh (2015)
3. Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Colby College (2014)
4. Honorary Fellow, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government (2013)
These appointments demonstrate Okonjo-Iweala’s expertise and influence in global economic development, international finance, and African affairs.
