WTO DG OKONJO-IWEALA PRAISES TINUBU’S ECONOMIC REFORMS AS “STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION” (VIDEO)

World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as a step “in the right direction”. Okonjo-Iweala made the remarks after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

While commending Tinubu’s efforts so far, Okonjo-Iweala stressed the need to prioritise measures that would stimulate growth. “He deserves credit for his efforts so far, but there is a need to prioritise measures that would stimulate growth,” she said.

The WTO DG also urged the Federal Government to implement robust social safety nets to cushion the impact of ongoing reforms and put more money in the hands of Nigerians. Okonjo-Iweala’s visit to the President comes just weeks before the end of her first term as WTO chief on August 31, 2025, and the start of her second term on September 1, 2025.

During her visit, Okonjo-Iweala briefed President Tinubu on the Women Exporters Fund for 146 Nigerian businesswomen. As the first African and first woman to head the 164-member global trade body, Okonjo-Iweala’s praise for Tinubu’s economic reforms is significant, and her advice on stimulating growth and implementing social safety nets is expected to inform the government’s policy decisions.