Okonjo-Iweala makes Fortune’s 50 Greatest World Leaders’ List
MINISTER of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been named one of the 50 greatest leaders in the world by Fortune Magazine.
Okonjo-Iweala was recognized alongside others such as Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Pope Francis, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Bill and Melinda Gates, Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerburg and Apple CEO Tom Cook.
The minister was described as “a fearless promoter of sound economic policies.” She was also singled out for working hard to usher in a decade in which the country’s GDP trebled.
She was named 33rd on the list. Fortune Magazine’s annual list celebrates men and women who are transforming lives in all spheres, including government, business and philanthropy. In compiling the 2015 list, the magazine explained that it gathered advice from more than 24 of the world’s best minds.
The leaders were judged by their actions within their professional domains, industries or governance. According to the magazine, “to make this roster, it was not enough to be brilliant, admirable or even supremely powerful.
It continued, “we set out to find singular leaders with vision who moved others to act as well, and who brought their followers with them on a shared quest. “We looked for effectiveness and commitment and for the courage to pioneer.”Okonjo-Iweala graduated from Harvard in 1976 and holds a Ph.D in Development Economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – 1981.
As two-time Finance Minister of Nigeria, she has helped to lay a solid foundation for the Nigeria economy, which is currently the biggest in Africa at $510 billion.
Related
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
40 Comments
nigeria is dumping nation ,i dont know why this woman agree to work for this fake nation ,a nation you know if christ govern will never get satisfy,hardliners and un patriotic people in the name of opposition writes rubbish of this hard working woman.
I think Gen. Buhari still need to work with Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala in other to bring more economic boom to Nigeria’s Economy.
Congratulations great woman of Nigeria and Africa. Dr Okonjo-Iweala, I appreciates you, even if others does not, the world have acknowledge your tremendous and wonderful works you are doing for Nigeria. Please carry on, for posterity will judge you fairly. You are amazon of Nigeria. I love you, but God loves you more, don’t be tired in helping our country Nigeria, the giant and great country of Africa. Thank you Mama Economy and well done. God bless you and our dear beloved country Nigeria in Jesus Name, Amen. CHEERS
Heart cheers to a woman of distinction and integrity. This award simply confirms what most of us already know — Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is exceptional; she is a gift to Nigeria.
I’m highly impressed with this great woman resume,she is globally renowned Nigerian Economist,her good works speaks for her,well done madam
A woman of uncompromisingly high standards and strong personal values,she has reformed the ecomomic sector and her performance is noted in her all works,she is really amazing,GOD bless her
Congratulations Madam.
I am glad that this recognition is coming at such a time like this when President Jonathan accepted defeat and gave peace in a chance in our nation. Okonjo Iweala is a jewel whose appeal cut across the globe. Nigeria is blessed to have such a great woman.
For the first time in my life I find myself on the same page with the Minister for Finance. This shows how fast things can change. Mrs. Iweala really impressed me with her comments today. I am proud to be a Nigerian
once again. Fortune thank you so much, you proved her critics wrong
I
must accept that I have no fault to Fortune’s super opinion about the Nigerian perculiar situation. The Magazine spoke my mind with these
honest words from her. My God give us the fortitude to understand and accept
this painful truth as revealed by Fortune. God bless us all
It is time people begin to ask critical questions about the states. Before she became minister how many states in Nigeria are economically viable? If you remove federal allocation today how many states will survive? It is understandable if Governor
Fashola comes out to run his mouth like a tap. These are some of the critical facts Fortune, a non-partisan organisation, looked at before making their selection
I am completely at sea as to how some politicians think. It amazes me that people play politics with everything in this country. It is understandable if the Nigerian opposition plays politics, but does Fortune, a reputable international body also play local politics? This is my direct question to oppostion supporters
Nigeria has the potential to be great. World economists have predicted a Nigeria that is capable to set itself in the midst of world economy deciders. We want a Nigeria that Africa and other nations will be proud to associate with.DR Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala we Nigerians are so proud of you,you keep taking us higher with your achievements
The News of the Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala being included in the list of the honorees didnt get to me as a surprise. I think it is a well-deserved recognition
A well deserved recognition,Maam, Economic team responsible for implementing a comprehensive home grown economic reform program that stabilized the macro-economy and tripled the growth rate to an average 6 percent per annum over 3 years. Her achievements as Finance Minister garnered international recognition for improving Nigeria’s financial stability and fostering greater fiscal transparency to combat corruption.Thank you Fortune!
Would have been surprised for the minister to get anything less than honor for her two-time sacrificial service, not minding the vulnerability that the assignment might do her name. It did try to do some damage, but thanks to those who still
recognized her efforts. besides the earthly, lifetime awards, posterity still has something up her sleeves for you for the good job you have done for your country. Well done Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Mine is in observation of how Okonjo-Iweala did not make the first ten in the list. Perhaps if she was an American she could have. But a big congratulations to her anyways.
I was young, now I am growing up, and I have never seen the diligent stand before mean men. Congrats madam Okonjo-Iweala.
Congratulations to Okonjo-Iweala for her recognition as the President-of-Nigerian-Economy in the last 4 years (Remember Obasanjo mentioned her as one of the 5 Presidents Nigeria had, in his memoir, with of course Jonathan being the weakest of them according to a story told to Obj by one of Jonathan’s handlers). That is a good send-off party for her. Now she can go forth and multiply. As far as we are concerned, we the people scores Okonjo Iweala as zero power going forward and we would expect that she would have no influence under President Buhari except to explain what happened for our $320+billion revenue in the last 4 years under Jonathan. And if any role is given to her – we would picket the government we voted massively for and ensure that due reversal is done.
Why do we score her zero power going forward?. She performed exceptionally well under Obasanjo and then she unwound every good she did by putting her excellence at the service of those bent on balkanizing Nigeria through massive insecurity, impoverization and plutocracy. In this she acts like someone whose mantra is to put her professional excellence at the service of “whatever the boss wants it to be”. She is to our Economy what Fani Kayode is to our democracy. Obasanjo wanted debt forgiveness, creations of Chaebols and shoring up Nigeria as the destination for foreign direct investment. She did that. Jonathan wanted an empowerment of a few and the conversion of our common wealth to the estate of a few – she made sure that happened. Her primacy over the Nigerian economy, as Diezani (one of the other Presidents) had primacy over the petroleum profile, almost balkanized Nigeria.
The present state of our economy and poverty level and the massive stealing by all the women ministers /the missing
billion dollars before her watch with her making a good president appear inept in financial management is her legacy this time around. Madam Ngozi also cotributed to the fall of Johnathan by using theory to solve practical problems.Is this how she met our reserve and stock market . Thank God the change and GMB, the improvement in the economy in the next six months will put her to shame.I trust the CHANGE master who is destined for change the second time Nigerian needed some one who can salvage her from corruption and debt.When the chips are down, GMB.is always there to rescue.This time no one shall change the changer until we can forget the trauma and nightmare of the past six years
GLORY BE TO GOD for giving Nigeria a JFK.
Its shameful dat foreigners are celebrating d gift dat God gave to Nigeria.People who despise good things;Good things will always be far away from them
Okonjo Iweala told every state finance commissioner to make paying salary their priority when oil price nd our revenue dropped by almost 60 yet most of these crooks squandered d their state revenue esp. during this past election only to turn around and blame Okonjo lweala.Because they think for many Nigerians who can’t think,they believed them
Dr NGOZI Okonjo-Iweala,a big shout out and congratulation on a well deserved achievement,many more is still coming your way Ma,
Most importantly, this year we want to celebrate the people who actually work,DR Ngozi is best,in terms of the economy growth she has really contributed a lot,we need more people like her in the government,her hard earned international reputation actually paid off,well done madam NOI
I see NOI as a woman that has the interest of Nigerians at heart.through her selflessness, she glows.congratulation madam
she has joined the league of respectable and responsible world leaders.congratulation Madam,a job well done deserves an achievement.
God is with Biafran,Our Ngozi which Yoruba media wrote petitions to university she attended for the school to withdraw her certificate for serving Nigeria, where intelligent Biafrans are not regard but idiotic foolishness Alamajiri is recognized.Buhari illiterate without common secondary certificate is a president,it sign that the Nigeria is cured
It is mouth you have, all of you who think that if you break away as biafra, we the SS will join you to become minority and be dominated again, no way. then your nation will become like Lesotho, surrounded by South Africa.
She has been and will always be a cut above the rest. All her haters can just go to blazes because once again Madam Iweala has shown herself to be one of the greatest minds in the world. A world leader by all standards. You have our mandate Ma when you are ready to lead this great nation to glory.
Ooooh! I so love this woman! They fire hate mail, derogatory remarks and insulting articles at her, and what happens? She rises above it all by being on the Fortune list of 50 most powerful people in the world!!! How’s that for a comeback? You are and will always be my role model. Congrats Ma. More grease to your elbow.
She deserves it and her good in the Nigerians economy works was a major factor that got her there.
Madam Iweala you are a woman of impeccable character keep it on, do not be discouraged by what partisan critics say about you. congratulations
God is always on the side of this woman. Can you imagine how
much smear campaign that her enemy has been throwing her way? Yet, she is
excelling and amassing awards from all over the world.
With her sterling record of service, it is certain that
Madam NOI will be Nigeria’s first female president.
thank, they know that she have the quality to be president that,s why they are attacking her to tarnish her image.
Her presidency is in Biafra country not for Nigeria.Nigeria cursed Country in the World.
It is on record that she subjected many pensioners to abject poverty and untimely death both military and civilian.PENSION AREAS have not been paid even when it was in 2012/2013/2014 budgets.She called petitioners lazy people who does not contribute anything to the economy.What ever is said about her, let her conscience make war with her in her next en devour.
Ah! And you believed those lies? Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is one government officialt hat doesn’t joke with pensioners! Those insinuations are lies being peddled by her detractors. She played a key role in pension reforms to ensure that our senior citizens who have served the nation get what is due to them. I don’t know of anybody who has successfully advocated for payment of pensions and pension arrears like Madam Okonjo-Iweala.
This is so encouraging. It’s good to see the international community recognising a fact that many positive thinking Nigerians have known for years. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a blessing to Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
I pray the Gov. of Edo State has read this.
We will review and take appropriate action.