Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala set to be reappointed for second term as WTO DG

Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is set to be reappointed as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

To this effect, the organization disclosed that it would convene a special meeting of its General Council to advance the process of selecting the next Director-General.

According to a statement issued by the Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway on Tuesday, he noted that the meeting will be held on November 28-29, 2024. 

The meeting follows the announcement by the Chair on 9 November that no candidates for the position of Director-General had emerged by the 8th of November nomination deadline, other than the incumbent Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

In his communication to members, Ambassador Ølberg said that, based on his contacts with delegations over the past days, and as has been done in past instances where the incumbent Director-General was the only candidate, he intends to convene a special formal meeting of the General Council on 28 and 29 November.

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The first day of the General Council meeting would allow members to hear a presentation from DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session, the Chair said.

The second day could then provide an opportunity for members to decide on the appointment of the next Director-General. 

It would be recalled that the WTO confirmed Okonjo-Iweala as the sole candidate for the position, following a nomination period that concluded with no additional contenders by the November 8 deadline.

Okonjo-Iweala’s current term comes to an end on 31 August 2025.

By Babajide Okeowo

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