Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala Secures Second Term At WTO Amid Global Tensions

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed for a second term as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), extending her leadership in the global trade body for another four years starting September 1, 2025.

This decision, made by the WTO’s General Council, underscores continued trust in her leadership despite a turbulent global trade landscape.

Expressing gratitude in a statement issued on Friday, Okonjo-Iweala thanked the WTO’s 166 member nations for their support.

She said: “I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members. It is a privilege to continue serving as Director-General for a second four-year term.”

Reflecting on her first term, she highlighted the WTO’s critical role during her tenure, citing its interventions in global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical unrest, and economic disruptions.

“In recent years, the WTO has played a vital role in helping Members navigate pressing global challenges, including the pandemic, conflict, and heightened geopolitical tensions,” she remarked, praising members’ resilience amidst unprecedented uncertainty.

Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, made history in 2021 as the first woman and the first African to head the WTO.

Looking ahead, she pledged to steer the organisation towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable trading system, advocating for trade as a tool for economic growth and resilience.

“As we look ahead, I remain firmly committed to delivering results that matter — results that ultimately improve the lives of people around the world,” she stated.

Promising to work alongside WTO staff, she emphasised building a collaborative, rules-based multilateral trading system that benefits all member nations.

Her reappointment positions her at the forefront of efforts to address challenges in international trade, amid rising protectionism, trade wars, and calls for reforms within the WTO.

With Okonjo-Iweala at the helm, expectations are high for innovative strategies and impactful negotiations in an era of rapid economic shifts and global uncertainty.