The World Trade Organisation has accepted Nigeria’s nomination of Okonjo Iweala as Director General of the organisation.
Nigeria’s nomination has been countered by Egypt on the basis that the executive decision of the African Union (AU) which set a deadline of November 30, 2019 for African countries to nominate candidates had been violated.
Announcing the acceptance of the nomination, the WTO said : “Nigeria, on 9 June 2020, nominated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will step down on 31 August 2020.”
The current WTO Director-General, Mr. Roberto Azevêdo announced he will step down on August 31, 2020.
“According to the timetable announced by the Chair of the General Council, David Walker, the nomination period will close on 8 July 2020,” a statement on the WTO website said.
“Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will be invited to meet with members at a special General Council meeting, present their views and take questions from the membership.”
Other nominees for the post, so far, include Mr. Jesús Seade Kuri of Mexico and Mr. Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt.
