Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s exit from the Nigerian Govt

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s resignation last week did not come to me as a surprise. I was rather dissapointed at how the Federal Government of Nigeria could have made such a mistake of putting a gem like her aside. Yes, she was moved from the Finance Ministry to the Foreign Ministry and later removed as Head of Nigeria’s Economic Management team. A honourable person would have seen the handwriting on the wall and resigned. She did just that.

Well, according to Joel Olatunde Agoi’s report for the AFP,

The sudden resignation of campaigning Nigerian minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala last week is a blow to the credibility of the government and places a question mark over future economic reforms, Nigerian economists and analysts say.

Former finance and foreign minister Okonjo-Iweala last year spearheaded reforms of the country’s finance and economic sectors and negotiated Africa’s biggest debt cancellation, worth 18 billion dollars (14 billion euros).

The former World Bank’s vice president, who has a doctorate degree in regional economics and development, joined the cabinet in July 2003 after President Olusegun Obasanjo was re-elected for another term.

How President Obasanjo’s government could have treated such an asset as Dr Okonjo-Iweala like this still baffles me.

Her removal as head of the Economic Management team might not be unconnected to her whistle-blowing over her claim that the Nigerian mission in Jamaica had illegally transferred 4.6 million dollars to the International Seabed Authority — an allegation the government denied.

What peeves me more is the fact that she was remmoved whilst on an official assignment in London (UK) last week. Are we still in the dark days of military rule? It was commonplace during the military regime to hire-and-fire on National radio. Why embarass her like that? This is not honourable.

She should simply take solace in the fact that many Nigerians appreciate her role and we love her (my humble self include). Some even want her for President! 🙂

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Oluniyi D. Ajao
Oluniyi D. Ajao is an Internet Entrepreneur and Tech Enthusiast based in South Africa. Follow him on twitter @niyyie for more tech updates.

6 Comments

  1. […] Oluniyi David Ajao bares his mind about Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s exit from the Nigerian Govt Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s resignation last week did not come to me as a surprise. I was rather dissapointed at how the Federal Government of Nigeria could have made such a mistake of putting a gem like her aside. Yes, she was moved from the Finance Ministry to the Foreign Ministry and later removed as Head of Nigeria’s Economic Management team. A honourable person would have seen the handwriting on the wall and resigned. She did just that. […]

  2. While in the east sometime back, i mentioned to a few friends (learned of course) that maybe (MAYBE) d first time an easterner is going to become the president of dis country without hassles…or without d drama of sold mandates and cheap easing off…that person will be an Igbo woman….they literaly chopped my head off…..dis of course is a reminder…guys watch out…cos she can have my vote anyday

  3. That was so wise of her .To have resigned is the best she still has enough to offer elsewhere .I salute your straight-fowardness keep it up.The world should follow your examplary management.THE SKY IS YOUR STARTING POINT …………………..REMEMBER.

  4. Hi,I could reason with you.This really shows how backward we are as black and third world country.I feel exceedingly grieved about it all.Am i must register my displeasure and grieve.I encourage all Nigerian to keep their fingers crossed to see how Obasanjo’s regime will fall like a pack of cards.I sincerely believe believe that Dr. Okonjo has made her mark and really made Nigerians proud.I say”More power to your elbow”.

  5. Sorry, I’m very late to this story but I’d like to know something from you guys with your ears to the ground. Is there any chance she could use this as a springboard for the presidency as, for example, did Yeltsin?

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