The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged Nigeria to move beyond importing renewable energy technologies by investing in local manufacturing and deployment of solar and wind solutions.
Okonjo-Iweala made the call on Friday in Zaria while delivering the Ahmadu Bello University’s 45th Pre-Convocation Lecture, titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Africa and Nigeria in the Present Global Geopolitical and Geostrategic Context’.
She said that this would strengthen energy security, and support industrial growth and harness job creation.
She noted that inspite of Africa’s vast renewable energy potentials, the continent had continued to attract a disproportionately small share of global clean-energy investment.
The WTO boss also pointed to ongoing positive developments across the continent, including growth in manufacturing, services, digital innovation, renewable energy, and mineral processing,
She cited Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, a Lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, and rising Fintech and Tech. startups as examples.
She urged African countries, particularly Nigeria, to position themselves strategically to harness emerging opportunities in the evolving global geopolitical and geostrategic landscape.
The WTO DG said although the international system was facing unprecedented disruption, the situation also presented a historic opportunity for Africa to reposition itself as a key driver of global growth, trade, and innovation.
She said that Africa must engage the world not as a supplicant for dwindling aid, but as an attractive destination for investment, trade, and value-added production.
“In spite of the turbulence in the global economy, Africa can emerge stronger if it strengthens domestic economic management, deepens regional integration, and takes advantage of supply chain diversification,” Okonjo-Iweala said.
She also commended the university’s contributions to national development and global scholarship, citing renowned alumnus Prof. Rashid Sumaila.
According to her, Sumaila’s research influenced a landmark WTO agreement on curbing harmful fisheries subsidies.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Vice- Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, said the university was honoured to host the Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who he described as the ‘distinguished daughter of Africa’.
According to him, her leadership at WTO came at a time of the world economic uncertainties and transformations resonates with values of the ABU.
“We are grateful you chose to share your time and global economic experiences with the academic community in the ABU,” he said.
The vice-chancellor said that the Director General of the WTO will also be honored with the ABU’s honorary doctorate degree during the Convocation Ceremony slated for Saturday.
The lecture, which was part of the activities marking ABU’s 45th Convocation Ceremony and had former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Chairman of the occasion, represented by a former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
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