Julius OkoriePresident of African Development Bank (ADB) Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adeshina has congratulated his compatriot Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala following her re-election as Director-General of World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday.
Adeshina who has been at the helm of affairs at the ADB since 2015, wished Okonjo-Iweala continued success as she superintends over WTO for another four years that will see her in-charge till 2028. Taking to his X, Adeshina who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said “I Wish you continued Success in your second term”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAdeshina himself is enjoying a second term at the African Development Bank after making a huge success of his first term.
The Nigerian Economist was elected as the President of the African Development Bank in 2015 and re-elected for a second term in 2020.And like Okonjo- Iweala he also recorded history as the first Nigerian to hold the ADB post.
The two global citizens by virtue of their positions have continued to do the nation proud delivering dividends of their appointments even as the world continues to wonder why Nigeria is crawling in development with the calibre of technocrats she has making waves across the globe.
Adeshina who was Nigeria’s minister Agriculture and Rural Development from 2010 to 2015 was named Forbes African Man of the Year, for his reform of Nigerian agriculture. He was credited for introducing increased transparency into the fertiliser supply chain.
Meanwhile re-elected WTO DG, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (NOI) has vowed to double efforts in her second tenure. No stone according to her will be left unturned in efforts aimed at providing results that matter and touch people’s lives around the world.
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In her acceptance speech the former two time Nigeria’s Minister of Finance whose second tenure as WTO boss begins 1st September 2025, said “I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members. It is a privilege to continue serving as Director-General for a second four-year term.
“In recent years, the WTO has played a vital role in helping Members navigate pressing global challenges, including the pandemic, conflict, and heightened geopolitical tensions. I commend Members for their hard work and determination in achieving progress despite unprecedented levels of uncertainty and rapid economic shifts.
“As we look ahead, I remain firmly committed to delivering results that matter—results that ultimately improve the lives of people around the world. By promoting trade as a driver of economic growth and resilience, the WTO will continue to provide a collaborative platform for Members to address shared global challenges.
“I am deeply committed to working alongside the talented and dedicated staff of the WTO to build a more inclusive, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system that benefits all.“
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was re-elected unopposed for the WTO making her the first black person and the first black woman to be elected to the position in the organisation’s 29 years of existence.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
