The global recognition by Forbes of Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as one of the World’s leading women is a manifestation of Nigeria as home to some of the world’s best in terms of human resources. Amid a weakening economy and elevated poverty uncertainty necessitated by poor governance, the rich human resources of Nigeria appear to be the last straw of hope for a better country someday. The country may be deviled with incompetent rulers; it hasnevertheless produced some of the world’s finest minds across all fields of knowledge. Although the list of Nigerians flying the country’s flag high on both the continental and international stage is inexhaustible, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is one Nigerian who has distinguished herself as a global public servant extraordinaire.

Acknowledgingher valuable contributions to the development of international trade, Forbes, in its 2023 list of the 100 most powerful women in the worldnamedDr. Okonjo-Iweala the 87th most powerful woman in the world. She was ranked ahead of other prominent African women thereby making her themost powerful woman in the continent. This development is notnovel as Okonjo-Iweala has been previously rankedby Forbes in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2022. Her array of achievementsincludes being listed as one of the 25 most influential women by Financial Times in 2021; one of the 50 Greatest World Leaders by Fortune in 2015; and the Top 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME in 2014 and 2021.

Forbes may not be a perfectparameter for measuring excellence, however, itsrecognition of Okonjo-Iweala as Africa’s most powerful woman is in sync with her outstanding track record. She is a consummateeconomist and international development professional with over 40 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. In March 2021, she became the first woman and African to serve as Director-General of WTO and had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the No. 2 position of Managing Director, Operations.