Global economic development icon, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday cleared the final hurdle in her quest to become the first woman to occupy the post of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), an informed source told News Express last night.

“From strong indications in Geneva, our NOI has finally clinched the post of WTO DG!

“All Ambassadors to the WTO have been summoned to an informal meeting tomorrow, Wednesday 28th October in the afternoon for the announcement. The official confirmation will follow at next week’s meeting of the WTO General Council,” the source said.

Okonjo-Iweala’s campaign for the plum position had climaxed yesterday as the WTO’s consultation process ended ahead of the announcement, in November, of a successor for the outgoing DG, Roberto Azevedo.

Hopes had dimmed for Okonjo-Iweala’s sole remaining opponent, Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea, after the 27 European Union member states and China decided to back Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister.

That skyrocketted the number of countries officially endorsing her candidacy to 106 out of the 164 states that comprise the WTO.

The 55-member African Union had earlier officially supported the former World Bank Managing Director.

Okonjo-Iweala, a last-minute nominee by Nigeria, would become the first African to head the WTO if she finally gets the job.

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