By John Obi
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has announced that Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who currently heads the organisation as Director – General is returning unopposed as no other candidate indicated interest to vie for the position.
Okonjo – Iweala was stepped in as the DG of WTO on February 15,2021 as the first female and African to occupy that position.
According to a statement by the organisation on Saturday Okonjo-Iweala, confirmed her willingness to serve a second four-year term on September 16.
Preparations to fill the organisation ‘s director-general position began on October 8 and ended November 8.
Chairman of the WTO’s General Council, Petter Obeng told member-countries in a message that no additional nominations were received by the organisation by November 8 deadline.
“Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to Members a consolidated list of candidatures received for the post of Director-General immediately after the close of the nomination period, in this case 8 November 2024,” the statement reads.
“I would like to advise members that at the end of the nomination period the only candidacy received for this post is from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent director-general.
“The notification received from Dr Okonjo-Iweala pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, was circulated to all Members together with my communication in document JOB/GC/406, dated 16 September 2024.”
He noted that the General Council chair would communicate the next steps in the process soon.
Okonjo-Iweala’s current term will end on August 31, 2025.
