She burst on the national scene during the Obasanjo administration as Minister of Finance with a brief stint as Foreign Affairs Minister.
This was a feat she replicated during the Jonathan administration as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy. She held sway during this period as the nation’s economic top shot.
She was credited with balancing our books and helping Nigeria pay off its massive international debts.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is a woman of many parts: economist, princess, pacesetter, detribalised and fashion icon.
She was born in Oguashi-Ukwu to privileged parents. She was raised in Ibadan, Oyo state during her formative years. She is quoted as saying that she considers herself first and foremost an Ibadan girl! She attended St Annes and International School Ibadan for her secondary school education.
Her father was Professor Chukwuka Okonjo, who later became the King of Oguashi-Ukwu Kingdom in Delta state.
She has such an amazing pedigree of royalty, academic excellence and wealth but she carries on with grace, simplicity and warmth.
Her professional accomplishments are also immense. She trained at the prestigious Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) for her Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD certificates.
She worked at the World Bank for almost 25 years from where she was head-hunted by President Olusegun Obasanjo. She rose to become Managing Director of one of its units.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is calm and soft spoken but exudes an air of authority on economic and fiscal matters. She treads boldly where others walk gingerly.
Her trademark African prints ensemble with a jaunty scarf marks her out on her numerous public appearances. From Federal Executive Council sessions, to Davos Economic Forum or World Bank meetings, she steps out confidently in her trademark African prints. Certainly, outsmarting the best of them in tailored corporate suits and all.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala today is the Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO).
She’s serving out her second term as the first African, and woman to head such an influential organisation.
She’s a natural fit for our International Women’s Day Series because of her numerous accomplishments in governance, economy, trade, royal life, fashion and art.
She is on the Board of numerous organisations and non profit institutions such as Carnegie Foundation, Mandela Institute for Development Studies, Georgetown University for Women, Rockefeller Foundation, Global Alliance for Vaccines, Standard Chartered Bank among others.
Join me to celebrate this international icon, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala a total African woman at heart.
Please join this conversation with your comments and feedback on this and other topics. Send them to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com.
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor.
