Okonjo-Iweala Vows Hope for Nigeria, Cites Need for National Unity at Book Launch

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala remains steadfastly optimistic about Nigeria's potential, asserting that she will "never give up hope" on the nation. Speaking at the launch of Paul C. Nwabuikwu's book, "The Pain and the Promise: Insights and Fragments on Nigeria and People, Public and Personal (1990–2026)," Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that achieving sustainable prosperity hinges on Nigerians forging a broad national consensus.

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Until Nigerians can overcome the ethnic, religious and regional divides embedded in our society to forge a social compact that agrees key directions for the nation… Nigeria will find it difficult to move forward at the pace required to create enduring prosperity for our people.

This consensus, she explained, must rise above ethnic, religious, and regional divisions to unite the country around shared development goals. Okonjo-Iweala, who previously led Nigeria's economic reforms, acknowledged the nation's recurring setbacks and policy reversals but expressed confidence in its abundant talent and resilience. She believes that Nigeria's "pain" should serve as a catalyst for fulfilling its immense promise.

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I’ll never give up hope… I believe in talent from every corner of Nigeria. There’s no place in Nigeria that doesn’t have talented people.

The former Finance Minister highlighted that Nigeria's greatest obstacle is not a lack of talent but an inability to agree on common national priorities that can endure across different administrations. She described Nigeria as "the most interesting, if the most chaotic country in the world," yet maintained her unwavering belief in its capacity to realize its vast potential.

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This is a book I recommend heartily… to better understand our wonderful, complicated, often frustrating, but always exciting country.

Okonjo-Iweala heartily recommended Nwabuikwu's collection of essays for its insightful chronicle of Nigeria's journey through military rule, democratic transitions, economic reforms, and technological advancements. The book, she noted, successfully preserves faith in a brighter future, capturing the essence of the nation's complex, frustrating, yet always exciting character.

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I’ll never give up hope.