Cambridge Honours Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala With Honorary Fellowship

Cambridge University has awarded Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World
Trade Organization (WTO), an Honorary Fellowship of Lucy Cavendish College—one of the
institution’s highest honours.

The recognition celebrates Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s outstanding contributions to global economics,
trade reform, and development, as well as her trailblazing role in international leadership. She is
the first African woman and the first woman ever to lead the WTO, a role she assumed in 2021.
In a statement, Lucy Cavendish College praised Okonjo-Iweala’s “vision, resilience, and
dedication to building a fairer global economy,” describing her as an inspiration to women and
young leaders across the world.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister and World Bank managing director, has
long been recognized for championing debt relief for developing nations, promoting
transparency, and pushing reforms in global trade. Her tenure at the WTO has focused on
strengthening multilateral trade systems, supporting pandemic recovery, and addressing
inequalities in access to vaccines and technology.
Speaking on the honour, she expressed gratitude to Cambridge, saying it reflects not only her
journey but also the resilience and talent of Africans and women striving to break barriers
globally.

This recognition adds to her growing list of international accolades, including her inclusion in
Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in the World and TIME 100 Most Influential People.
For Lucy Cavendish College, known for supporting women’s education and leadership, the
honorary fellowship reinforces its commitment to celebrating figures who embody excellence,
equity, and global impact.

With this latest accolade, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala cements her position as one of the most
respected and influential leaders shaping conversations around economics, governance, and trade
in the 21st century.

By Oyinkansola Shittu.

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