Okonjo iweala a strong transparency advocate and anti corruption fighter

A great choice!

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is indeed a renowned transparency advocate and anti-corruption fighter. Here are some highlights of her remarkable career:

Early Life and Education: Born in 1954 in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Career: Okonjo-Iweala has had a distinguished career in international development, spanning over three decades. She has worked with various organizations, including:

  1. World Bank: She joined the World Bank in 1982 and rose to become the first female Vice President and Chief Economist of the Africa Region (2007-2011).
  2. Nigerian Government: Okonjo-Iweala served as Nigeria's Minister of Finance (2003-2006) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006). She was the first woman to hold these positions.
  3. Global Health: She was the Chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) from 2016 to 2020, leading efforts to increase access to vaccines in developing countries.

Transparency and Anti-Corruption Efforts: Okonjo-Iweala has been a vocal advocate for transparency and accountability in government and international institutions. Some notable initiatives she has led or supported include:

  1. Economic Transparency: She has championed efforts to increase transparency in government finances, including the publication of Nigeria's budget and financial reports.
  2. Anti-Corruption: Okonjo-Iweala has worked to strengthen institutions and laws to combat corruption in Nigeria and globally.
  3. Open Data: She has promoted the use of open data to improve transparency and accountability in government and development programs.

Awards and Recognition: Okonjo-Iweala has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including:

  1. African of the Year (2012) by the African Leadership Magazine
  2. Global Leader of the Year (2015) by the African Business Awards
  3. Order of the Federal Republic (2012) by the Nigerian government

Current Role: Okonjo-Iweala is currently the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the first woman and the first African to hold this position. She was appointed in March 2021 and has been leading efforts to reform the WTO and promote global trade.

Throughout her career, Okonjo-Iweala has demonstrated her commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, earning her a reputation as a strong advocate for these values.