The saying, “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water,” is a fitting metaphor for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Her journey to global boardrooms has been challenging yet inspiring. Okonjo-Iweala is one of the few women who earned a seat at the table of global politics. She broke through race and gender barriers to ensure her voice was heard where women are often sidelined. Growing up, her name symbolized strength in my household. She worked her way up with grace, overcoming challenges that would have broken most people.

Born on June 13, 1954, in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala’s early years were far from ordinary. The Nigerian Civil War, a period of intense political and social upheaval, would leave its mark on her childhood. Raised by her grandmother while her parents studied abroad, she was thrust into a world of scarcity and struggle. Consequently, this environment shaped her resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. The Biafran war left deep scars on her family, with her father — a professor and the Obi (king) of the Obahai royal family — losing everything. In these turbulent years, Okonjo-Iweala’s resilience was tested in ways few could have anticipated. When her younger sister fell severely ill with malaria, she carried her for miles. Climbing through a window, she secured the medical help needed. That courageous act remains etched in her memory.

She was a precocious child, excelling in school and displaying an early aptitude for mathematics and problem-solving.Her academic brilliance garnered attention. Ngozi became one of the few Nigerians to study at Harvard University and MIT. She earned a doctorate in economics. Okonjo-Iweala’s career includes two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister. She also served as Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. In Nigeria, patronage networks protect political power. Okonjo-Iweala, as a reformer, threatens these networks and challenges the status quo. Her efforts to overhaul the country’s financial systems, increase transparency, and combat corruption earned her enemies in high places. But, of course, Okonjo-Iweala was never one to back down. That same steadfastness would define her career as she moved on to global leadership roles. 

In 2021, Okonjo-Iweala became the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO). Her appointment broke a long-standing male-dominated tradition. It marked a pivotal shift in global leadership, prioritizing the needs of the developing world in shaping future trade. Okonjo-Iweala leads with an unwavering belief that trade can lift nations out of poverty. It’s this same belief that has guided her efforts to reform international economic policies and promote sustainable development across the globe. 

During her first tenure as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala worked tirelessly to restore trust and revitalize the organization’s operations. By focusing on transparency and reform, she successfully navigated challenges and steered the WTO through turbulent times. Her efforts significantly improved the organization’s capacity to respond to global trade issues. She successfully brokered key agreements, including a waiver for COVID-19 vaccine patents, demonstrating her leadership in global health and trade equity. Her tenure also emphasized reforming the WTO’s dispute resolution mechanism and advocating for inclusivity in global trade

Throughout her life, Okonjo-Iweala has faced barriers — gendered, racial, and institutional — that would have stopped many in their tracks. Challenges ignite her drive to push harder, fight longer, and prove African women can lead and change the world independently. Her determination ensures the next generation of African girls knows leadership and global change are attainable on their own terms.

As she prepares for a second term in 2025, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s impact at the WTO continues expanding globally. In 2023, Forbes ranked Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala among the 100 most powerful women, highlighting her remarkable global influence and leadership.