Minister Okonjo-Weala: Right Place at the Right Time

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance, Nigeria

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance, Nigeria

When Dr. Okonjo-Iweala departed the World Bank in 2011 to become Nigeria’s finance minister, she was managing director and second in charge. It was no surprise that in the following year her name appeared on a short-list for the WB presidency. She didn’t get the job but it is widely considered that she was by far the best candidate. At CFI.co we believe that the World Bank’s loss was Nigeria’s gain.

Okonjo-Iweala had also been finance minister (2003 – 2006) in an earlier administration. These were very different times and her crowning glory was in securing an $18 billion debt write-off from Nigeria’s creditors. She also ensured Nigeria’s first sovereign debt rating which resulted in significant foreign investment in the country.

“At CFI.co we believe that the World Bank’s loss was Nigeria’s gain.”

Nigeria is now experiencing strong economic growth and her challenge is to see that the distribution of its benefits is fair. Income inequality would hinder sustainable growth but CFI.co believes that this strong leader is in the right place at the right time. She is a fearless opponent of corruption in all its forms.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a world renowned economist but more than this a role model for all talented and ambitious women in Nigeria and throughout the continent of Africa. We also believe she has much more to offer the world.


Tags assigned to this article:
nigeria

You may have an interest in also reading…

Keeping Pace With Client Needs, Staying Ahead of the Market, and Driving Custodian Bank Evolution

The role of custodian banks has evolved to include the proactive anticipation of market and client needs — while driving

With Jalo-Waziri at the Helm: Africa’s Leading Securities Depository Embarks on Three-Year Plan

Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS Plc) has nearly three

Facebook Zero: Connecting the World

As Facebook is looking for growth it increasingly turns to Africa, India and the Middle East. These are about the