WTO Reappoints Okonjo-Iweala As Its Director-General

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed the reappointment of Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its director-general for a second term.

WTO announced this development in a statement released through its official X account on Friday.

The WTO indicated that Okonjo-Iweala’s new term will commence on September 1, 2025.

The announcement stated, “The General Council has appointed Director-General @NOIweala for a second term, effective 1 September 2025. More details to follow.”

It is noteworthy that the WTO had previously announced that Okonjo-Iweala, who is currently serving as director-general, is the only candidate for the position as her initial term approaches its end.

This marks her second term in office, which is set to conclude on August 31, 2025.

She was initially elected as the Director-General of the WTO on February 15, 2021.

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is both the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO, was the sole candidate in the election and was virtually guaranteed a second term.

The WTO announced in a statement that the organization’s 166 members “today agreed to grant incumbent Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a second term as director-general.”

The 70-year-old Nigerian’s reappointment received unanimous approval during a special meeting of the General Council, which was conducted behind closed doors, according to the WTO.

Her current term will conclude in August 2025, and the process for appointing the next director-general was initially expected to take several months.

However, given that Okonjo-Iweala was the only candidate, African nations urged for an expedited process to facilitate preparations for the WTO’s upcoming major ministerial conference, scheduled to take place in Cameroon in 2026.

Since assuming leadership of the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala has sought to revitalize the organization, emphasizing new priorities such as climate change and health.

Upon confirmation of her reappointment, an elated Okonjo-Iweala said she was “honoured” and counted the move as a “privilege”.

“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,” she said in a statement on the organisation’s website.

“As we look ahead, I remain firmly committed to delivering results that matter—results that ultimately improve the lives of people around the world. By promoting trade as a driver of economic growth and resilience, the WTO will continue to provide a collaborative platform for Members to address shared global challenges,” the former Nigerian finance minister said.

“I am deeply committed to working alongside the talented and dedicated staff of the WTO to build a more inclusive, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system that benefits all.”