Nigeria’s Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, takes over the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Monday (today).

She is the first woman and first African to take charge of the global body.

The 66-year-old takes over seven months after the sudden exit of Roberto Azevedo last August, a year ahead of schedule.

Following a long selection process, Okonjo-Iweala, who spent 25 years at the World Bank, was finally anointed by the WTO’s 164 members on February 15.

From an initial eight candidates, she was the clear favourite among the last two standing in November.

However, her appointment was delayed by former US president Donald Trump blocking her nomination. The arrival of his successor Joe Biden made it possible for her to receive the consensus backing required to end the impasse.