By Admin with Agency reports
Following a hard-fought battle in her bid to become the first female Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Nigeria’s former minister of finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been confirmed as the DG of the world trade body.
The WTO made the announcement in a release sent on Monday.
The United States, under former President Donald Trump had opposed her emergence as the DG even though she is also a United States citizen. Reprieve however came Okonjo-Iweala’s way with the emergence of President Joe Biden whose administration endorsed her candidature last week.
Her main challenger, South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee announced her withdrawal on Friday following discussions with the US and other nations, according to a statement from Korea’s trade ministry.
Last October, the World Trade Organisation selected Mrs Okonjo-Iweala and Ms Yoo to advance to the final round in the race to lead the Geneva-based trade body.