Early Life and Education.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was born on June 13, 1954, in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, Nigeria. She was raised in an academic and royal household, as her father, Professor Chukwuka Okonjo, was the Obi (King) of Ogwashi-Ukwu.
She attended Queen’s School, Enugu, before proceeding to Harvard University, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1976 with a degree in Economics. She later earned a Ph.D. in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1981. During her doctoral studies, she received the International Fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Career at the World Bank.
Okonjo-Iweala spent 25 years at the World Bank, rising to the position of Managing Director (2007–2011). She was responsible for overseeing the $81 billion portfolio for the bank’s operations in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia.
She was instrumental in implementing economic reform programs in several developing countries, focusing on poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and good governance.
Ministerial Role in Nigeria.
Okonjo-Iweala made history as Nigeria’s first female Minister of Finance, serving two terms:
• 2003–2006 (Under President Olusegun Obasanjo)
• 2011–2015 (Under President Goodluck Jonathan)
During her tenure, she played a key role in negotiating the historic $18 billion debt relief from the Paris Club in 2005, which helped Nigeria eliminate a significant portion of its external debt. She also introduced the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which reduced corruption and improved government financial transparency.
In addition, she was briefly appointed as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2006, making her the first woman to hold that office.
Director-General of the WTO.
On March 1, 2021, Okonjo-Iweala became the first woman and first African to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Her leadership has focused on reforming global trade policies to support developing nations, addressing supply chain disruptions, and advocating for equitable vaccine distribution.
She has played a crucial role in negotiating trade agreements, promoting digital trade, and ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from global trade.
Boards and Global Influence.
Outside her ministerial and WTO roles, Okonjo-Iweala has served on various high-profile boards, including:
• Twitter (now X)
• Standard Chartered Bank
• GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance (as Chair)
• Lazard Ltd
She has also been an advisor to organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Awards and Recognitions.
Okonjo-Iweala has received numerous awards, including:
• Forbes’ African Person of the Year (2020)
• Time 100 Most Influential People (2021 & 2022)
• Harvard University’s Centennial Medal (2017)
• 15+ honorary doctorate degrees from universities such as Yale, Brown, and Tel Aviv University
Personal Life.
She is married to Dr. Ikemba Iweala, a neurosurgeon, and they have four children, including Uzodinma Iweala, a writer and physician.
Legacy and Impact.
Throughout her career, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been a champion of economic reforms, anti-corruption policies, and global trade equity. Her contributions continue to inspire African women in leadership and governance.
