The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has revealed that a well-planned public communication strategy played a crucial role in helping Nigeria secure its historic $30 billion Paris Club debt relief during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Okonjo-Iweala made the disclosure on Thursday at the public presentation of “The Pain and the Promise,” a book written by communications expert and public affairs analyst, Paul Nwabuikwu.
Reflecting on her time as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, she recalled being recruited from the World Bank in 2003 to help stabilise the country’s economy and negotiate the elimination of Nigeria’s massive debt owed to the Paris Club of creditors.
According to her, achieving that goal required difficult economic reforms, which made it necessary to gain the understanding and support of Nigerians.
“I had been brought in from the World Bank to help strengthen Nigeria’s weak finances, including getting rid of the $30 billion debt owed to the Paris Club. To do this, Nigeria had to undertake serious economic reforms that required understanding and sacrifices from Nigerians,” she said.
Okonjo-Iweala explained that one of the key pillars of the reform programme was effective public communication, prompting her to recruit Paul Nwabuikwu into the government’s economic team.
She described him as an outstanding communicator whose ability to explain complex economic policies in simple language helped build public support for the reforms.
“We wouldn’t have achieved as much success with the reform programme without Paul’s masterful handling of communications,” she said.
According to the WTO chief, successful reforms in a democracy go beyond introducing new policies and laws.
“Reform is not just about writing new laws and enforcing new policies. It’s about persuading people, explaining trade-offs and building enough trust for governments to continue implementing reforms,” she added.
Okonjo-Iweala also expressed concern over Nigeria’s persistent ethnic, religious and regional divisions, warning that the country may struggle to achieve lasting prosperity unless citizens unite around common national goals.
“Until Nigerians overcome ethnic, religious and regional divisions and agree on key national priorities, it will be difficult for the country to move forward at the pace needed to achieve lasting prosperity,” she said.
She stressed that talent exists in every part of Nigeria and urged leaders to prioritise competence over ethnic or regional considerations.
Reviewing Nwabuikwu’s book, Okonjo-Iweala described it as an important reflection on Nigeria’s political, economic and social journey over the past three decades.
She recommended the publication, especially to young Nigerians, saying it would help them better understand the country’s history and contemporary challenges.
Nigeria secured a landmark $18 billion debt relief deal from the Paris Club in 2005, eliminating about 60 percent of the country’s nearly $30 billion bilateral debt. The agreement was concluded under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and completed in April 2006.
Also speaking at the event, former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka said Nigeria needs constructive critics, responsible public officials and citizens willing to bridge the gap between government and the people.
Source: Public presentation of The Pain and the Promise.
