Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is in Nigeria for her first official trip since taking office at the beginning of March. She is meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, and Industry, Trade, and Investment Minister Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo. She will also interact with other members of the Nigerian government.
Also, DG Okonjo-Iweala will meet public health officials dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, women entrepreneurs, and representatives from the industry.
The Director-General will discuss her ongoing efforts in Geneva to help WTO members deliver concrete results on fisheries’ subsidies and accelerating COVID-19 vaccine production.
She will listen to government officials, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders about their experiences, needs, and concerns with the trading environment. She will also discuss what trade and how the WTO can help the Nigerian economy grow and diversify.
Arrival in Abuja
Upon her arrival in Abuja on 13th March, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary, and other officials of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment welcomed her.
The new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, said her visit to Nigeria is to assist entrepreneurs and improve the economy. The Development economist disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport on Saturday when she arrived for a one-week visit.
She explained that it is needful for the country to explore its share of trade in Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. According to her, she will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and several ministers in the coming days.
Meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday afternoon at the State House as promised. She disclosed during the meeting that Nigeria should start looking at establishing the capacity for manufacturing vaccines locally. The WTO Boss said that her role at the WTO is to support women entrepreneurs, and MSMEs, and all the marginalized and excluded.
Okonjo-Iweala and President Buhari discussed a wide range of topics including Improving Nigeria’s share of global trade and Developing Nigeria’s Services sector. Others include Covid-19; Attracting investment, training & capacity building, and Safe Schools.
“I felt I had to come to Nigeria first, to say thank you, to Mr. President; to thank him for his nomination”.
She also thanked young Nigerians on social media for sending encouraging videos. On trade dumping, she said the WTO has measures to protect national economies from dumping and other harmful practices. She stated that within the WTO principles, there are provisions that exist to protect and support vulnerable countries.
“I’ve been in the vaccine business for the last 5-6 years. You need 4-5 years to get a plant approved to produce vaccines. I’m advocating that Nigeria should start looking now at establishing the capacity for manufacturing vaccines locally. This is not going to be the last pandemic”.
She also added that although free trade has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, it has also left some people behind. That is why one of her duties at WTO is to support women entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and all the marginalized and excluded.
READ ASLO: DG calls on COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to increase production in developing countries
