Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian in the diaspora.
She assumed the role of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on March 1, 2021. With a wealth of experience spanning over 40 years in global finance, economics, and international development, she has left an indelible mark on Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
Prior to her role at the WTO, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala served as the Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Her impressive career also included positions on the boards of Standard Chartered PLC and Twitter Inc. She was appointed as the African Union Special Envoy to garner international financial support for the fight against COVID-19 and as the WHO Special Envoy for Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator. Recognized as a skilled negotiator, she has successfully brokered numerous agreements, earning a reputation as an effective consensus builder and an honest broker, trusted by governments and stakeholders alike.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s impact extends to her tenure as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, serving two terms from 2003 to 2006 and 2011 to 2015. During her tenure, she implemented major reforms that enhanced the effectiveness of government institutions, including the overhaul of Nigeria’s trade policy to boost competitiveness. She is credited with steering her country Nigeria through a range of reforms, from macroeconomic to trade, financial, and real sector issues.
As a firm believer in the transformative power of trade for developing countries, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala became the first female and African candidate to contest for the presidency of the World Bank Group in 2012, gaining support from Africa and major developing countries. Her leadership continued at the World Bank, where she held the position of Managing Director, Operations, overseeing a substantial operational portfolio.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s contributions go beyond her governmental roles. She has been recognized globally, being listed among the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by Forbes and one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME. Her accolades include the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) honors in Nigeria.
In 2023, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala received prestigious awards such as the Lord Byron International Prize, the Global Economy Prize, and the Laureate Prize of Ambassadors. Her commitment to global change and leadership earned her the Global Leadership Award from the United Nations Foundation in 2021.
Beyond her public service, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is actively engaged in various advisory boards and groups, including the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, the African University of Science and Technology, and the Bloomberg Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health. She is also a co-Chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s educational background is equally impressive, graduating magna cum laude with an B.A. in Economics from Harvard University in 1977 and earning a Ph.D. in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1981. She holds honorary degrees from 21 universities worldwide.
In addition to her public service, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has authored several books, including “Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons,” co-authored with Julia Gillard. She is married to neurosurgeon Dr. Ikemba Iweala and is the proud mother of four children and grandmother to five grandchildren.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s legacy is one of exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to development, and a dedication to advancing global economic prosperity. She continues to be a source of inspiration and a role model for numerous individuals in Nigeria, across Africa, and in the diaspora, thanks to her truly outstanding track record.
