Updated: WTO promises to support Nigeria after Tinubu, Okonjo-Iweala meeting

Updated: WTO promises to support Nigeria after Tinubu, Okonjo-Iweala meeting

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 2:50pm with a former Minister of State for Health under Goodluck Jonathan administration, Dr Ali Pate.

Okonjo-Iweala was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy during the Jonathan government.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Okonjo-Iweala said her team at the WTO would do their best to support Nigeria at this difficult time.
She said the focus of her discussion
with the President was what they could do to support Nigeria.
According to her, they are considering a grassroot programme that can help the young people as well as women.
The WTO DG said, “We want to help them in digital trade so that they can create more jobs,” she said.
“We all know that things are very difficult for Nigerians outside; everyone is struggling. I’m here on a quiet visit. So this was not really an official WTO mission but we’re able to engage with Mr. President, talk about what are the kinds of programmes that could be put in place to make sure that the sufferings of Nigerians are alleviated.
“And we had a really good conversation on trying to look at the community and grassroots programmes that can be put in place to create jobs for young people, trying to support women and children, who are bearing the brunt of some of the suffering in the country.”
She also said, “We’re already working in Nigeria with women in particular, who own Small and Medium Enterprises to try to help them upgrade the quality of their products; whether it’s in the agricultural area, in textiles and in other areas so that they can sell more internationally.”