Nigeria's candidate for Director-General of the World Trade Organization, WTO; has expressed gratitude to all allies who supported her bid to lead the WTO.

The former Nigerian finance minister is in line to become the first woman and African to hold the position.

The withdrawal of her only challenger, Madam Yoo of South Korea; and signal of the United States to back her candidature paves the way for her to ascend to the role.

"I look forward to finalizing the process of WTO DG. My gratitude to HE Cyril Ramaphosa, all African Heads of State, the AUC Chair. Special thanks to ECOWAS Heads of State for outstanding support," she said in a tweet.

She also extended gratitude to the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACAPS), Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; to the EU as well as all officials and leaders of WTO members.

I look forward to finalizing the process of @WTO DG. My gratitude to HE @CyrilRamaphosa, all African Heads of State, the AUC Chair. Special thanks to ECOWAS Heads of State for outstanding support. I thank @PressACP, @Miaamormottley, EU, all Officials & Leaders of WTO Members.

— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) February 6, 2021

Grateful for the expression of support from the US today for DG @WTO. Congratulations to Madam Yoo of Rep. Korea for a hard fought campaign.Thank You President Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari &all Nigerians for your unflinching support.Thank you friends. Love to my family.Glory to God.

— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) February 5, 2021