MIRIAM NNOLI 
A picture taken on July 15, 2020, in Geneva shows Nigerian former Foreign and Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala smiling during a hearing before World Trade Organization 164 member states’ representatives, as part of the application process to head the WTO as Director General. – South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee on February 5, 2021 abandoned her bid to become head of the WTOm, Seoul said, clearing the way for Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to become the global body’s first woman and first African director-general. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is set to seek a second four-year term when her mandate expires next year in August.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by her spokesperson, Ismaila Dieng, saying the first woman and first African to head the organisation will seek a second term bid.
He said, “We can confirm that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has officially announced her intention to seek a second term as Director-General of the WTO.”
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According to him, the 70-year-old former Fiannce Minister had taken into account “the overwhelming and broad-based support expressed by members”
Her decision to seek another term was officially communicated to WTO chair Norwegian Ambassador Petter Olberg on Monday.
The WTO’s African Group formally requested that she make herself available for a second term at that same meeting, and proposed that the process to re-nominate her should begin as soon as possible.
So far no other candidates have come forward.
Okonjo-Iweala, who took over the office in March 2021, has hinged her leadership on breathing new life into the sclerotic organization.
