**TL;DR: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala serves as an qualified and effective incoming Director-General of the WTO due to her competence and background.** On February 15, 2021, The World Trade Organization officially confirmed Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as its next Director-General. Her confirmation marked the first female and first African head of the WTO. Okonjo-Iweala has an impressive resume. As a Finance Minister, she negotiated Nigeria’s debt relief with many skeptical international leaders, including then-President George W. Bush. She became the country’s most well-known corruption buster as her economic reform reduced the influences of many established figures in Nigeria. The entrenched interests saw her as such a threat that they kidnapped her mother as leverage in 2012. Despite all the obstacles, Okonjo-Iweala persisted with her mission to transform the Nigerian economy. [1] While some critics have pointed out some shortcomings of her policies, her legacy and experiences make her well qualified to run the WTO. Okonjo-Iweala’s confirmation has significance beyond herself. As a groundbreaking candidate, her rise represents a recognition of the African continent. While many African nations have suffered unfair trade exploitation, the continent has started to show its potential and leadership on the international stage. As the first female WTO head, Okonjo-Iweala joins the ranks of other top women in fiances, such as ECB President Christine Lagarde and IMF Chairwoman Kristalina Georgieva. Okonjo-Iweala does not shy away from her identity. In 2020, then U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer objected to her nomination for her perceived lack of experience. To this, she responded: “if you encounter a problem because you are a woman and you’re Black and you’re African, take that problem, that weakness they have, and make it your strength…” [2] Okonjo-Iweala has a tough job ahead. The WTO has fallen into consistent dysfunction in recent years due to the rise of economic protectionism. [3] Her success is in no way guaranteed. However, no men or women are more qualified to try. For this reason, the World Trade Organization has a promising Director-General in Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. [1]. Baschuk, Bryce. 2021. "A Nigerian Corruption Fighter Nicknamed ‘Okonjo The Trouble Maker’ Could Shake Up The WTO". The Seattle Times, , 2021. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/a-nigerian-corruption-fighter-nicknamed-okonjo-the-trouble-maker-could-shake-up-the-wto/. [2]. Paquette, Danielle, and David Lynch. 2021. "Trump Tried To Block Her. Now Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Is About To Make History.". The Washington Post, , 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ngozi-okonjo-iweala-wto/2021/02/09/99e3b028-67eb-11eb-bab8-707f8769d785_story.html. [3]. Ana, Swanson. 2021. "W.T.O. Officially Selects Okonjo-Iweala As Its Director General". The New York Times, , 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/business/economy/wto-okonjo-iweala-director-general.html.

TL;DR - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is likely to be successful in dealing with the internal struggles of the WTO and COVID-19. However, there is uncertainty because of her lack of trade experience. If we are talking about dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and fixing the internal mess in the appellant body of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is an ideal pick. She is a professional when it comes to dealing with factions and handling the Nigerian economy erasing most of their external debt. She also recently served on the board of GAVI who focuses on vaccine distribution to developing countries. If that didn't seal the deal: she has over 20 years of experience on the World Bank as managing director [1]. However, the Trump administration was not meritless in choosing Yoo Myung-hee over Okonjo-Iweala. Yoo, currently South Korea's Trade Minister, is also a very accomplished woman nicknamed “the glass-ceiling breaker”. She had more experience within the WTO and was very knowledgeable when it came to negotiating with the U.S., China, and Europe [2]. I think Yoo's downside was that she was more focused on the trade reorganization after the pandemic while the world is still struggling to get out of it [3]. Not saying Yoo was not planning on dealing with the pandemic if nominated, but Okonjo-Iweala is a more rational choice since she already served on the GAVI board, and developing countries are likely to get the most hurt by the pandemic. Uncertainties come from Okonjo-Iweala's lack of experience in trade and how she will deal with the China-U.S. trade problem. The Biden administration believes that the WTO is currently unable to deal with China's unfair trade practices, and the rest of the world is held to a higher standard [1]. She is likely to be more successful dealing with the WTO's internal struggles and COVID-19, but only time will tell. Works Cited [1] W.T.O. Set to Gain New Chief, but Deep Issues Remain https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/14/business/economy/wto-world-trade-director-general.html?searchResultPosition=3 [2] Yoo Myung-hee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoo_Myung-hee [3] Director Myung-hee Myung-hee “The rise of economic nationalism with Corona 19… Respond in cooperation with middle-powered countries” https://www.korea.kr/news/policyNewsView.do?newsId=148872586