President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, August 14, 2025.
The high-profile discussion, which began around 2:50 p.m., was attended by Dr. Ali Pate, a former Minister of State for Health and current ministerial nominee.
While the specific agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, sources suggest it focused on strategies to enhance Nigeria’s economic and trade prospects, aligning with the Tinubu administration’s efforts to bolster job creation and economic integration.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that her visit was not solely in her capacity as WTO Director-General but aimed at exploring ways to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians, particularly women and youth.
“We discussed community and grassroots programs to create jobs and support those bearing the brunt of economic challenges,” Okonjo-Iweala said, highlighting President Tinubu’s commitment to economic reforms.
She noted that the WTO has been working with Nigerian entrepreneurs, particularly in trade and manufacturing, to foster digital trade and women’s empowerment.
The meeting follows Okonjo-Iweala’s earlier engagements with Tinubu, including a discussion at the Global Pact Summit in Paris in June 2023.
Observers speculate that the talks may have also touched on Nigeria’s role in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and deepening regional value chains, given Okonjo-Iweala’s recent advocacy for dismantling trade barriers to unlock West Africa’s $500 billion economic potential.
The presence of Dr. Pate, a key figure in health policy, has sparked speculation about potential discussions on pharmaceutical manufacturing or healthcare-related trade initiatives, though no official confirmation was provided.
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