World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has praised President Bola Tinubu for driving reforms that strengthened Nigeria’s economic stability.
Speaking after a private meeting with the president on Thursday, she credited Tinubu’s administration for making stability a priority, which she said is essential for long-term growth.
“You cannot improve an economy without stability. The president and his team deserve credit. The reforms are moving in the right direction,” she said.
Calls for Growth and Social Protection
However, Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that stabilisation is only the first step. She urged the government to now focus on economic growth and introduce social safety nets to protect citizens affected by reforms.
“The next phase is growth. Social safety nets will help people cope with challenges, create jobs, and put more money in their pockets,” she explained.
In addition, she suggested targeted welfare programmes to ease hardship and sustain public support for reforms.
Women Exporters Fund Initiative
Meanwhile, her visit also marked the launch of the Women Exporters Fund for the Digital Economy, supported by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva jointly manage the initiative.
Furthermore, Nigeria is one of only four countries selected for this global programme. The Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council coordinated its local rollout. From 67,000 applicants, 146 women secured funding and support.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Notably, sixteen beneficiaries in the ‘booster track’ category will receive 18 months of technical and business support to expand their ventures. Meanwhile, another 100 women will each get a $5,000 grant and 12 months of mentorship to start or scale their enterprises.
“This is only the beginning,” Okonjo-Iweala said. “We aim to help more women overcome challenges, create jobs, and contribute to national growth.”
As a result, the programme is expected to promote innovation, generate employment, and strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience.
