Former Nigerian finance minister becomes first woman and African to head WTO

Former Nigerian finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has become the first woman and first African to be appointed as director general of World Trade Organization (WTO).

The decision was taken by consensus at a special meeting of the organization’s General Council.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala – who also holds US citizenship – is a former Managing Director of the World Bank.

The WTO faces numerous challenges in its work to settle trade disputes, counter growing protectionism, and to help steer the world out of the slump caused by the corona virus pandemic.

Some observers say it is an organization in crisis.