The race for the leadership of the World Trade Organization, (WTO) looks set to pit Nigeria and Saudi Arabia against each other, following a last minute decision by the Kingdom to nominate Mr. Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri to compete against Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.
Al-Tuwaijri, a former Economy and Planning Minister was nominated by Saudi Arabia to succeed incumbent Brazilian, Roberto Azevedo who is stepping down in August as the Director-General of the WTO in a direct affront to Nigeria’s bid.
A WTO document dated July 8, 2020, revealed the nomination by Saudi Arabia which was done on Wednesday, the deadline for the nomination of candidates by member countries.
“The following communication, nominating Mr. Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri for the position of Director-General, has been received from the Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 8 July 2020,” the document showed.
This action is set to pit the Kingdom against Nigeria who has nominated former Finance Minister, Okonjo-Iweala Iweala for the plum job.
Nigeria has reportedly been counting on Saudi Arabia’s support, but the latest development has thrown up new dynamics.
Recall that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has been in an ebullient mood and has repeatedly stated her credentials for the top job.
As earlier reported by The New Diplomat the former World Bank Chief reiterated that her forthright credentials, skill-sets, and hands-on expertise are what the World Trade Organization (WTO) need now for proper repositioning and to navigate its way through the pandemic crisis.
“I am the best woman for the job,” Okonjo-Iweala said on an Arise TV program monitored by The New Diplomat, saying that her background as a development economist with decades of experience in the trade will prove handy for WTO’s DG position.
Following the nomination of the Saudi, seven candidates are expected to battle for the WTO DG position in a race that will go down to the wires as countries continue to seek alliances in their attempt to build consensus ahead of the 2021 d-day for the completion of the selection process in Geneva.
