Twitter Appoints Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to its Board

Nigeria’s former minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been appointed to the board of popular social media company, Twitter.

We’re adding Ngozi (@NOIweala) and Bob (@authorzoellick) to the Twitter board. Welcome! Sadly we’re also saying farewell to our friend Marjorie (@marjscar). She’s been an amazing advocate for journalists everywhere, and pushed us constantly to better inform people. Thank you M.

— jack⚡️ (@jack) July 19, 2018

She was appointed to the board alongside Robert Zoellick, the former President of the World Bank between 2007 and 2012. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala joins the board to replace Marjorie Scardino.

Okonjo-Iweala is already a powerhouse in the finance world. She is a two-time Nigerian finance minister. She had her first stint during the Obasanjo era between 2003 and 2006. And served her second term during the Jonathan era between 2011 and 2015.

Excited to work with @Jack and an incredible team on the Board of Twitter, a global platform that is such a strong connector of people and ideas.

— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) July 19, 2018

During her first term, Okonjo-Iweala played a crucial role in Nigeria’s debt relief campaign. Thanks to her, Nigeria got a debt relief from its creditors.

Between 2007 and 2011, Okonjo-Iweala held the position of Managing Director of the World Bank Group. And in 2012, she made a powerful but unsuccessful bid to be president of the World Bank.

Since its creation, the World Bank presidency position has only ever gone to an American. However, her candidacy was the strongest opposition and proved the strongest threat to that trend. Unfortunately, she lost.

After her second stint as Nigeria’s finance minister, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has taken on a few important roles.

She holds the position of Chair of the board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). And since 2015, she has been a Senior Advisor to Lazard Ltd, a global investments, and asset management company.