THE World Trade Organisation (WTO) made history as it appointed Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as the multilateral trade body's first woman and first African Director-General (DG) on Monday.

The decision to appoint the organisation's seventh DG was taken by consensus at a special meeting of the General Council.

When she takes office on March 1, 2021 the former Nigerian Finance Minister and World Bank economist will start a term, renewable, that will expire on August 31, 2025.

Ms Okonjo-Iweala said a key priority for her would be to work with members to quickly address the economic and health consequences brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again," she said, adding "Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today."

The General Council decision follows months of uncertainty which arose when the US under the administration of former President Mr Donald Trump, blocked Ms Okonjo-Iweala's appointment, despite strong endorsement from almost all WTO members.

However, President Mr Joe Biden withdrew their support for South Korea's Ms Yoo Myung-hee, who dropped from the race on February 5, and shifted its endorsement to the candidacy of Ms Okonjo-Iweala.

The process for selecting a new DG was triggered by former DG Mr Roberto Azevedo announcement on May 15, 2020 that he would be stepping down from his post one year before the expiry of his mandate. He subsequently left office on August 31, 2020.