According to the DG, Nigeria has to shift its primary focus from economic stabilisation to job creation by attracting global investments that can open opportunities for the nation’s growing workforce.

She said targeting global investors for job growth and supply chain development would drive innovation, boost industrialisation, improve productivity, contribute to GDP growth, and increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) in the country.

The WTO DG made the remarks on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, during a fireside chat at the Nigeria House amid the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

“Some good reforms are being pursued right now, but they need to translate into job creation,” she said. “This is what I also told His Excellency, Mr President: we must move from stabilisation to creating jobs, because that is where we are currently lacking.”

Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that reforms take time to implement but stressed the importance of attracting investment into Nigeria.

“What I’d like to see is a continued effort to bring in investment because there’s a real opportunity now to strengthen supply chains,” she said.

“If there’s one thing I would prioritise, it is showing that Nigeria is a country worth investing in. We should have a deliberate strategy to attract investors, from China, the United Nations, or any other source, to come and invest in our country.”

She noted that as investors diversify their supply chains, many are moving away from China toward other parts of Asia and India. “We should aim to capture some of that. I’m not saying all of it, but a substantial portion.”

Okonjo-Iweala also highlighted opportunities in local manufacturing, particularly in renewable energy and fashion.

“We import solar panels, yet we have the capacity to produce them in Nigeria. The same goes for textiles. Many of the fabrics we wear today aren’t made in Nigeria. We should attract investment to manufacture these products locally.”

She added that pharmaceuticals also present a significant opportunity for investment and growth. “This is really my passion, and there’s a real chance to develop this sector here,” she said.

The Nigerian economist and World Trade Organization (WTO) director-general called the ripple effect of Trump administration tariffs “the greatest disruption in trade in 80 years.”

She also said that she agreed with some of the criticisms leveled at the organization by the US.

“The crisis is an opportunity to reform (the WTO),” she said, calling from greater transparency and conceding that decision-making “sometimes … does result in paralysis.”

“In this modern world with AI, we need to find a way to be flexible, faster,” she added.

Okonjo-Iweala noted that the US isn’t the only nation critiquing the WTO, and developing nations also have legitimate gripes. “I think they are coming to the fore because of the crisis we’re in,” she said.

Beyond the bureaucracy, the director-general was bullish about the continent’s prospects, pointing to an IMF projection of 4% growth in Africa in 2025 and 2026.

“Most of Africa’s mineral resources are yet to be discovered,” she said, while pointing to the continent containing “67% of the world’s arable land,” and 22% of the world’s working population.

“But how do we make this work for us?” she added.

Okonjo-Iweala called for “careful thinking” on tensions in Nigeria, after US President Donald Trump suggested the United States may take military action there to protect the nation’s Christians.

Okonjo-Iweala, who previously served as Nigeria’s finance minister, said “This is an incredibly complex question. The situation is very difficult and needs careful thought.

“It has religious issues involved in it, it has resource issues involved in it, it has different complexities. So, I just think we need careful thinking through.”

But in today’s fast-changing, hyper-connected, and competitive world, your 40s are more than just a checkpoint.

They represent a critical decade of transition where your personal brand must evolve to keep you not only visible but also valuable and future-ready as you approach your 50s.

By the time many professionals hit their 40s, they have already built careers, accumulated experiences, and earned recognition in their fields.

But here’s the real question: How do you ensure that your story doesn’t plateau but instead evolves to remain compelling?

This is where personal branding in your 40s becomes essential:

1. From Proving Yourself to Positioning Yourself

In your 20s and 30s, much of your personal brand is tied to proving yourself, showing you can deliver, grow, and compete. In your 40s, the focus shifts. It is no longer about chasing every opportunity but positioning yourself as someone who creates opportunities for others.

Take Ibukun Awosika, for instance. By her 40s, she had already proven herself as a successful entrepreneur. But she didn’t stop there, she positioned herself as a board leader, mentor, and advocate for women in business, which later elevated her to become the first female Chairperson of First Bank Nigeria.

Her brand wasn’t just about building a business but about creating platforms for others to rise.

Lesson: In your 40s, your brand should reflect influence and contribution, not just competence.

2. Leveraging Experience Without Becoming “Stuck”

One of the biggest traps professionals fall into in their 40s is comfort. You’ve put in the work, you’ve built systems that work for you, and suddenly you risk becoming rigid. But the world around you is disruptive and dynamic.

Barack Obama is a good example. By his early 40s, he could have settled as a respected law professor and state senator.

Instead, he rebranded himself onto the global stage with a message of hope and transformation, positioning himself for the U.S. presidency at 47. He showed that experience must be paired with adaptability to remain relevant.

Lesson: In your 40s, be open to re-inventing yourself and your expertise for new platforms and audiences.

3. Integrating Wellbeing and Mindfulness Into Your Brand

Your 40s are also a time where balance becomes non-negotiable. Career demands, family responsibilities, financial commitments, and health concerns all converge in this decade. If your personal brand is built only on professional achievements but neglects wellbeing, it may lack sustainability.

Think of Michelle Obama in her 40s. She could have defined her brand solely as the First Lady. Instead, she emphasized family values, wellness, and authenticity, inspiring millions with her “Let’s Move” campaign and later her memoir Becoming. Her brand became relatable and deeply human.

Lesson: In your 40s, your brand must reflect not just success, but also balance and authenticity.

4. Financial Intelligence as a Branding Element

By your 40s, conversations about money shift. It’s no longer about just earning more; it’s about sustaining wealth, making smarter financial choices, and preparing for the future.

Tony Elumelu provides a strong Nigerian example. By his 40s, he had already established himself in banking.

But his personal brand evolved beyond finance into wealth creation, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy through the Tony Elumelu Foundation. His financial intelligence became part of his brand identity.

Lesson: People in their 40s should be seen as strategic thinkers, not just hard workers.

5. The Power of Patience and Values

In your 20s and 30s, speed is celebrated promotions, recognition, and fast growth. But in your 40s, patience and values become your superpower. People now look at the substance behind your success.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala built her early reputation as a respected economist, but in her 40s, her brand shifted toward values-driven leadership and reform. That consistent brand later earned her global trust and influence, culminating in her appointment as the first African woman to head the World Trade Organization in her 60s.

Lesson: By your 40s, your brand must highlight integrity, vision, and principles.

6. Building Your Legacy Narrative

One of the most strategic questions you can ask in your 40s is: What do I want to be remembered for?

This isn’t about retirement planning, it’s about legacy planning. Your brand should begin to reflect the seeds of your long-term impact.

Take Elon Musk, for example. By his 40s, he wasn’t just building companies (Tesla, SpaceX, SolarCity); he was shaping a narrative of global impact around clean energy, space exploration, and the future of humanity. Whether you agree with his style or not, his brand is strongly tied to legacy.

Lesson: In your 40s, start designing your impact story, not just your career story.

On a final note, Personal branding in your 40s is about evolution, not reinvention. You already have a foundation; now it’s about ensuring it adapts to changing realities, remains visible in global conversations, and reflects not just what you do but who you are becoming.

As you step into your 50s, your personal brand should feel less like a résumé and more like a story of relevance, resilience, and responsibility.

The world needs your experience, but it also needs your adaptability, balance, and vision. Your 40s give you the chance to shape that story intentionally, authentically, and powerfully.

The decision was finalised during a General Council meeting held from 28-29 November 2024. Her new term will begin on 1 September 2025, following the conclusion of her initial tenure on 31 August 2025.

Okonjo-Iweala, who made history in 2021 as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO, was the sole nominee for the position. The reappointment process commenced on 8 October 2024, chaired by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway. 

With no competing candidates by the 8 November deadline, her candidacy received unanimous support from the organisation’s 166 member nations.

During the special council session, Okonjo-Iweala presented her vision for the WTO’s future, addressing issues such as reforms to the global trade system, negotiations on fisheries subsidies, and the need to strengthen the dispute settlement mechanism. Members engaged in a robust Q&A session before formally endorsing her reappointment.

In her comments, Okonjo-Iweala was grateful for the trust placed in her and reaffirmed her vision to ensure global economic resilience through trade. “We have made significant progress, but much remains to be done to address the complexities of today’s trade environment,” she said, noting her priorities for her next term.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of experience to the role, drawing from her tenure as Nigeria’s finance minister, where she successfully negotiated an $18 billion debt relief package in 2005. 

She also served as Managing Director at the World Bank, where she helped in securing funding for development projects in low-income countries.

Currently, global trade tensions are increasing, particularly between the United States and China. Analysts anticipate that Okonjo-Iweala’s second term will involve tackling these challenges while pursuing the WTO’s agenda of inclusivity and fairness in global trade.

Her continued focus on addressing the WTO’s reform needs and enhancing its capacity to adapt to the dynamic global economy is one of the required solutions.

It is worth noting that seven highly accomplished and distinguished Nigerians have been able to secure their positions on a list that is considered to be one of the most prestigious lists in the world. 

The list spans various categories such as Politics and Public Service, Business, Science and Academia, Environmental, Creative, Media, and Sports, which further highlights the diverse range of talents and skills that these Nigerians possess. 

The fact that these individuals were able to make it on this list is a pointer to their hard work, dedication, and exceptional achievements in their respective fields.

Akinwumi Adesina 

Akinwumi Adesina is a highly respected Nigerian economist who has made a huge impact in the field of agricultural economics and rural development. He currently serves as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), a position he has held since 2015. Prior to this, he was Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, where he implemented key policies that helped to transform the country’s agricultural sector. 

Adesina has also held several high-profile positions in international organisations, including the Rockefeller Foundation and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). He is widely recognised for his expertise in agricultural development, having received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a highly accomplished Nigerian economist who is currently serving as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She has had an illustrious career in public service, having previously served as the Finance Minister of Nigeria on two separate occasions, from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. Prior to that, Okonjo-Iweala spent 25 years at the World Bank, where she held various key positions, including Vice President and Corporate Secretary. 

Throughout her career, Okonjo-Iweala has made commendable contributions to the fields of economic development and international finance. She has been a leading voice on issues such as poverty reduction, debt relief, and trade. She has been recognised for her expertise by numerous organisations and institutions around the world. In 2005, she was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, and in 2014, she was awarded the prestigious David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award. Okonjo-Iweala is widely regarded as one of the most influential and accomplished women in the world of international economics and finance.

Bola Tinubu

Bola Tinubu, who currently serves as the President of Nigeria, is a highly respected politician who was once the Governor of Lagos State. He is widely recognised as one of the most influential figures in Nigerian politics, and his contributions to the country’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have earned him a reputation as a political powerhouse. 

Tinubu’s political career spans over two decades and has seen him occupy several prominent positions in both the public and private sectors. His commitment to the development of Nigeria and his tireless efforts to promote good governance have made him a highly respected figure both in Nigeria and beyond.

Olugbenga Agboola

Olugbenga Agboola is a highly successful and well-known Nigerian entrepreneur who has made a name for himself as the co-founder and CEO of Flutterwave, a global payments technology company that has revolutionized the way people send and receive money all around the world. 

With his keen business acumen and innovative thinking, he has helped to position Flutterwave as a leader in the African fintech industry, where he is widely respected and admired for his contributions to the field. His dedication to his work and his commitment to making a positive impact on the world have earned him a reputation as one of the most influential and inspiring figures in the business world today.

Professor Benedict Okey Oramah 

Professor Benedict Okey Oramah is a highly acclaimed Nigerian economist who has made great contributions to the field of economics. He is currently serving as the President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), a major financial institution that promotes and finances trade within and outside Africa. 

With over 30 years of experience in economic policy, research, consulting, and banking, Prof. Oramah is widely regarded as an expert in African trade and development. He has authored several articles and books on trade and finance, and has received numerous awards for his outstanding contributions to the development of Africa’s economy.

Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote, born on April 10, 1957, is a Nigerian business magnate, investor, and philanthropist, and is currently the chairman of Dangote Group. The company is one of the largest conglomerates in Africa and has interests in various fields including cement, sugar, salt, flour, and more. 

Dangote’s company is also involved in real estate, telecommunications, and oil and gas exploration. He is one of the wealthiest individuals in Africa with a net worth of $9.5 billion as of January 1, 2024. Dangote is a prominent figure in the global business community, with several honors and awards to his name, including the Forbes Africa Person of the Year award in 2014, the Clinton Global Citizen award in 2015, and the Bloomberg 50 in 2017.

Shola Akinlade

Shola Akinlade is a highly respected Nigerian entrepreneur, who has been key in the Nigerian tech startup ecosystem. As the co-founder and CEO of Paystack, a leading online payment platform in Nigeria, he has played an indispensable role in bolstering the way online payments are made in the country. 

Under his leadership, Paystack has become one of the most successful and fastest-growing tech startups in Nigeria, attracting huge investment and recognition from both local and international organisations. With his impressive track record and deep understanding of the Nigerian tech scene, Shola Akinlade is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the country’s growing tech industry.

The Global Leadership Council (GLC) of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) recently convened on the sidelines of UNGA 78 to review progress against its two signature initiatives: first, to mobilize 5 GW of accelerated commitments to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS); and second, to enable large-scale aggregation in the distributed renewable energy (DRE) sector, with the near-term target of securing a $500 million pooled procurement order by end 2024.

These are crucial steps to unlock an estimated 90 GW market for BESS in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean and lowering the average price of DRE power from more than $0.5/kWh in most contexts today, to below $.25/kWh within five years.

Together, these initiatives have the potential to transform the pace at which energy poverty can be alleviated.

Currently, global power systems are not serving the people who most desperately need energy; 3.6 billion people still live in energy poverty today, and of those, 760 million have no electricity and 2.8 billion have costly, unreliable access.

“The GLC is working together to tackle the barriers to renewable energy adoption in low-and-middle-income countries, said GLC Co-Chair, Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway. “We need a more ambitious and inclusive renewable energy agenda globally, and to deliver this it is critical to find partners, secure funding from new sources and encourage creativity.”

The Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Consortium is a multi-stakeholder partnership set up to galvanize a transformation of energy systems in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean via expanded deployment of battery energy storage. The objectives of the Consortium are to:

–        Secure 5 GW of BESS commitments by the end of 2024

–        Mobilize more than $4 billion in grant, concessional, and commercial finance to accelerate project deployment

–        Unlock the 90 GW deployment needed by the end of this decade to enable 400 GW of renewable energy that avoids a gigaton of carbon dioxide emissions

The Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Scale-Up Initiative focuses on enabling collective action to unleash the market potential in developing countries, bringing affordable and reliable power to nearly half a billion people who remain unserved by traditional electricity grids. The objectives of the initiative are to:

–        Develop a 500 MW pipeline of procurement in three to four key markets by Q4 2024

–        Enable order volumes for DRE technologies totaling $500 million by Q4 2024

“As GEAPP approaches its second birthday, the GLC provides a critical role in delivering scale, urgency, and connectivity to our initiatives,” said Simon Harford, CEO of GEAPP. “Whether that’s GEAPP facilitating the first wave of BESS in India, or our investment in the private sector development of solar metro grids in eastern DRC, the GLC champions our efforts and amplifies our reach as the climate emergency continues to take hold.”

“Renewable energy is out of reach for too many people. Extending access to affordable and stable clean energy is a crucial component of our climate solution,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank. “The World Bank supports the efforts of GEAPP’s Global Leadership Council to address these challenges, and we must continue to move with even more urgency and scale.”

“Tackling the existential threat of climate change requires urgent and bold leadership. That is why I am energized by the GLC’s mission and ability to connect leaders across the globe,” said Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization. “This work is helping to facilitate the just energy transition that the world needs, I encourage the GLC to continue on their path forward with even more urgency, scale, and action.’’

“Five months ago, the GLC made one of the world’s largest collective commitments to significantly reduce the cost of renewable energy technologies. We will mobilize 100 GWh of accelerated BESS by 2030, and today we are many steps closer to identifying the ‘first-mover’ countries who will spearhead this work. This is the kind of collaboration we must see more of,” said GLC Co-Chair, Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation.

“600 million Africans have no access to electricity. To close this gap, we need bolder approaches that work at scale and can reach hundreds of millions of people such as the Desert to Power Initiative”, said Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group. “In Africa, the cost of capital for utility-scale clean energy projects is at least two to three times higher than in advanced economies. Today, we discussed how the GLC can help overcome the political, technical, and financial barriers that lead to these asymmetries, and accelerate universal energy access.’’

Gianni Infantino FIFA President signed a MoU with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General, recently.

The signature ceremony took place on the opening day of the annual WTO Public Forum. And both organisations have committed to ways for football to promote more economic inclusion.

The partnership is spelled out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by FIFA President Infantino and WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala where the two sides agreed to collaborate by exchanging views on their respective activities and by preparing and implementing common strategies and projects.

“I’m really excited at the prospect of collaborating with FIFA to try to leverage the cotton sector in a positive way for poor developing countries such as the Cotton 4,” said WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in reference to the WTO’s cotton programme in Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali which will is included in the partnership.

“I’m really excited that collaboration with FIFA could help us pull these countries more into the global cotton value chain.” Furthermore, the WHO Director-General added.  “I’m also thrilled at the prospect of working on gender empowerment. We have a big sports economy, and to the extent that we can pull this through trade to support women, this is a positive signal,”

“FIFA redistributes its revenue among our 211 member associations to help them develop football in their countries by notably investing in infrastructure, facilities, competitions, refereeing and coaching,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Yet, we believe that there is still more than football can do, especially for the youth in the developing world. This important partnership can help us find ways of ensuring that football can further promote sustainable development for everyone to benefit from the global football economy.”

FIFA & WTO added that under the terms of the MoU, the two organisations will also work together to analyse the economic impact of football and its role in unlocking global economic growth potential and will explore options for the development of capacity-building activities that support the use of football as a tool for women economic empowerment.

Also attended by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and the President Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, the event took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja and included several award categories including: 

Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in which the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola was awarded for his contributions to nation building through tech and business. 

Celebrating the win via his LinkedIn page, Agboola wrote: “Today, I became an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON); a national honor recognising my contributions to nation building through tech and business. This for me is a call for continued service. As a private citizen, I will continue working to support nation building in tech and business. As CEO and Founder of Flutterwave, we will continue to build the technology that supports the growth of small businesses which are the backbone of our economy, while ushering as many of our young people into tech. 

I dedicate this award first to GOD (I AM HE THAT GOD HAS HELPED – IYKYK) and then to my Team; the waver army!”

With him in the same category were 107 others including Samuel Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, who worked hand in hand with Agboola to build Flutterwave.

Another category was the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) which comprised of; Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Immediate past CJN, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Deputy Secretary-General of UN, Amina Mohammed; and Nigeria Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) – made up of 55 persons including Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank, The Ooni of Ife HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, The Olu of Warri HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede, The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, among others

Member Order of the Niger (MON) consisted of popular musician Teniola Apata and 54 others.

The National Honours Award was established by the National Honours Act of No 6 in 1964. However, it took a retroactive effect from October 1, 1963.

The Act empowers the President to honour deserving citizens, who have contributed to the development of Nigeria in any field of endeavour.

Other categories included Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), Member of the Order of the Federal Republic  (MFR), Federal Republic Medal I (FRM I), Federal Republic Medal II (FRM II) and Foreigners.