Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is likely to become the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

Iweala’s rival from South Korea, Yoo Myung-hee has decided to withdraw from the race, paving the way for the Ogwashi-Ukwu-native to be confirmed the head of the global trade body.

Yoo Myung-hee is South Korea’s Trade Minister and its candidate for the top job at the WTO following the resignation of Roberto Azevedo. Okonjo-Iweala had secured the popular vote by a wide margin on October 28 but was not named DG because the United States opposed her candidacy.

The two women are the last candidates standing and the eventual winner will set a record as being the first female WTO DG.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was slated to be the new Director-General of the World Trade Organization, but the United States representative at the World Trade Organization took to the floor to insist that South Korea’s candidate remained a contender, and that Washington will not recognize Okonjo-Iweala as the consensus candidate for appointment as director-general.

Despite the challenges, a panel at the WTO had earlier recommended her for the position. She would be the first woman, and the first African to lead the institution.

Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News