Coast becoming clearer for Okonjo-Iweala as ECOWAS endorses her for WTO DG

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recieved another big endorsement in her quest to become the director general of the World Trade Organisation as the Economic Community of West African States has declared its support for her candidacy.

The big endorsement came via a statement signed by Mahamadou Issoufou, the President of Niger, on behalf of the heads of state and government.

President Mhammadu Buhari had earlier nominated Okonjo-Iweala for the WTO top job.

The leaders of the regional bloc “acknowledged the strong academic and professional background of Dr Okonjo-Iweala and her very large experience in national affairs as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister briefly in 2006”.

They said their endorsement of Okonjo-Iweala’s candidature is conditioned on her academic and over 30 years of experience as a Development Economist.

The leaders also called on other African and non-African States to support the former minister.

Nominations for the job are expected to close on July 8 following which candidates will be invited to meet with WTO Council members at a special General Council meeting.

The successful candidate will succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced that he will step down on August 31.