The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Oxford.
Sharing the exciting news via her X handle, Okonjo-Iweala who is the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization as Director-General said:
“A great honor to be recognised today by Oxford University with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (D.litt. honoris causa). A marvellous ceremony at the Sheldonian Theatre followed by receptions at All Souls and St Johns Colleges. With Chancellor Lord Christopher Patten and Vice Chancellor Dr. Irene Tracey and the other 5 Honorands- Sir Michael Palin, Warren East, Sir @demishassabis, Professor Salim Yusuf, and @ShankarAnoushka. Also with my husband, Dr Ikemba Iweala and my daughter, Dr. @onyiiwealamdphd.”
, Professor Salim Yusuf, and @ShankarAnoushka
Born 13 June 1954, Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003–2006 and 2011–2015). She acted briefly as Foreign Minister in 2006 and was the first woman to hold both positions.
During her first term as Finance Minister in the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club that led to the wiping out of US$30 billion of Nigeria’s debt, including the outright cancellation of US$18 billion.
