Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Finance Minister and nominee for the office of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, (WTO), has emerged winner of the highly competitive race.
The former minister polled 104 votes from 164 member countries to defeat her South Korea’s trade minister opponent, at the final stage of the race. She will replace Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo and former director-general of the WTO.
Okonjo-Iweala has broken many records, including becoming both the first African and first woman to occupy win that office at the WTO.
Her candidacy received a huge boost a few days ago as the 27-member states of the European Union backed her for the job over Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea, who is Okonjo-Iweala’s sole remaining opponent in the race.