Date of Birth
13 June 1954
Place of Birth:
Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, Nigeria
Profession
Economist, Entrepreneur
Nationality:
Zodiac Sign:
Age:
ABOUT
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala GCON, born on June 13, 1954, is a Nigerian-American economist who has held the prestigious position of Director-General of the World Trade Organization since March 2021. She stands as the first woman and the first African to lead the organization in this capacity. She is also the former Finance Minister in Nigeria during the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime. In addition, she was the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and also Minister of Foreign Affairs in former President Olusegun Obasanjo two tenure.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has an extensive background in global governance and development, having served on numerous boards including Danone, Standard Chartered Bank, and GAVI. She stepped down from the Twitter Board of Directors in February 2021 upon her appointment as Director-General of the World Trade Organization. With a distinguished career at The World Bank of about 25 years, she rose to the position of Managing Director for Operations from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, she made history as the first Nigerian woman to serve two terms as Finance Minister of Nigeria and briefly served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2006. In 2005, she was named Global Finance Minister of the Year by Euromoney.
BEFORE FAME
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, born in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, Nigeria, and hails from a prominent royal family. She pursued her education both in Nigeria and the United States, graduating from Harvard University magna cum laude with an AB in Economics in 1976, and later earning master’s and doctoral degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in city planning and regional economics and development, respectively, supported by an international fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
CAREER
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s illustrious career includes a 25-year tenure at the World Bank, rising to the position of Managing Director for Operations, where she oversaw a substantial operational portfolio across regions. As Nigeria’s Finance Minister on two terms, she led groundbreaking reforms, including debt negotiations resulting in significant relief and the introduction of transparent financial systems. Okonjo-Iweala’s extensive global engagement extends to leadership roles in various international commissions and organizations, culminating in her historic appointment as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization in March 2021. Her ongoing contributions to global initiatives include co-chairing high-level panels on pandemic preparedness and response and advocacy for equitable vaccine distribution.
FAMILY LIFE
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is married to Ikemba Iweala, a neurosurgeon from Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, and together they have four children, including the author Uzodinma Iweala. During her campaign for the position of Director-General of the WTO, it emerged that Okonjo-Iweala obtained US citizenship in 2019 after living and working in the country for several decades. Analysts noted that this revelation could influence China’s perception of her, given the ongoing trade tensions between China and the US. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s birthday date is 13 June.
ASSOCIATED WITH
Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is associated with several Government agencies, International organizations, Corporate boards and Non-profit organizations. She has be recognized with so many Awards, Honorary degrees. Furthermore, she has written several books, articles and featured in talk shows analyzing economic difficulties and suggesting solutions to them.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Net Worth
Okonjo-Iweala is private and not made available to the public because she didn’t declare her wealth. She was a renowned economist and international development expert who has held several high-profile positions, including serving as the Finance Minister of Nigeria. She also served as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She is controlling more that 10millions dollars according to her investments. Okonjo-Iweala has amassed wealth in government and abroad earning her numerous building infrastructures, private and official cars including SUVs and chains of businesses in African, Europe and America.