Okonjo-Iweala Wants to be World Bank president

Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has made her intentions of vying for the post of World Bank’s President known.

Okonjo-Iweala, in an interview with Richard Quest on Cable News Network (CNN), made this known in Davos, Switzerland.

She said: “I know that, because I contested the last time in 2012, and many people were asking that question. It is a shareholder’s decision and they have to decide how they want it. Someone has to nominate.

“If the right person were to nominate, and if the circumstances are right and people feel I can do the job, yes!”

When the interviewer asked if she has declared interest, she said: “No I have not declared my candidacy, you asked a hypothetical question and I answered it fairly. I’m very happy right now, and I just want you to know that I’m enjoying life for a change for a portfolio of what I like.”

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is a renowned economist, author and politician. She was Nigeria’s first female Finance Minister and the first female Foreign Affairs Minister. She served under former presidents Olusegun Obsanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

She was also the first female black candidate to contest for the presidency of the World Bank Group in 2012.

During her time as a Minister of Finance, she spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club of creditors that led to the wiping out of $30billion Nigeria’s debt.

She also initiated processes that helped improve the country’s macroeconomic management to reduce macroeconomic volatility.

Okonjo-Iweala started out as an intern in World Bank Group.

After graduation, she returned to World Bank Group and worked for many years as a development economist. She held the post of Corporate Secretary and Vice President.