The country’s arguably stellar performance in regulating the Special Economic Zones scheme has again attracted global approval with the re-election of the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, to the board of the World Free Zones Organisation (WFZO) in Panama.

Once again, the African participants and their counterparts from Europe and Latin America cast bloc votes that accounted for 85 per cent of the total votes for Ogunyemi.

The NEPZA boss had attracted similar support from these continental blocs, which helped him secure his first victory in Dubai in 2024.

Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni, Chairman of WFZO, described Ogunyemi’s re-election as deserved, noting that the entire WFZO family felt his energy, commitment, and leadership throughout his first tenure.

“I simply wish to congratulate Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi of Nigeria and all other members of the WFZO board of directors on their delightful new tenure and continued exemplary service to the world,” he said.

On its part, the management of NEPZA described Ogunyemi as a likeable person with a distinguished deportment, excellent leadership, and knowledge of the scheme.

Mrs. Haleema Sani Kamba, Director of Corporate Services, who made the remarks on behalf of the management and staff, said Ogunyemi was making a deserving impact at NEPZA.

“We are not surprised that the impact of his excellent service and leadership has been acknowledged and rewarded on a global stage again,’’ Kamba said.

Ogunyemi, in his remarks, expressed delight at the overwhelming support from all voting blocs that led to his victory in the election held on Friday at the body’s 11th Annual Congress

He said the feat was a product of the country’s progress in repositioning the scheme to drive economic growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, adding that the country’s free trade zones were now attractive and could compete globally.

“I wish to thank my colleagues on the board and all the well-meaning colleagues in WFZO who returned me with their votes. I shall continue to do my best to serve the organisation.

“I have always said that the World Free Zone Organisation remains the melting point for Foreign Direct Investment opportunities and therefore, Nigeria and other African countries shall seize this opportunity of my being on the board to attract more FDIs to the continent,” Ogunyemi said.

The WFZO is the umbrella body of countries that own and manage the Free Trade Zones/Special Economic Zones Scheme. The body creates long-standing partnerships that are dedicated to creating an environment of economic prosperity and trust through economies of scale.

The 2026 meeting was the first to be attended by two sitting presidents, the Presidents of Panama and the Dominican Republic.