Nigeria’s former Finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is on her way to making history as the first black woman to lead the World Trade Organization.
Okonjo-Iweala’s journey to becoming WTO director-general saw a glimmer of light after her sole contender, South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee withdrew from the race. Myung-hee who is South Korea’s Trade Minister televised her withdrawal on Friday.
The Nigerian economist had before now garnered the support of major WTO members including the European Union, China, Japan and Australia. However, the United States under Donald Trump’s administration backed Myung-hee, a move that made it tougher for the Geneva-based organization to select its DG.
Tides changed for Okonjo-Iweala after the Biden led administration recently announced that the US will be backing Okonjo-Iweala for the leadership position.
The WTO has been without a DG since August 2020 after Brazil’s Roberto Azevêdo stepped down a year to the end of his tenure. Azevêdo stepped down due to controversies trailing his position in the escalating trade fight between the United States and China.

