Okonjo-Iweala To Deliver Ahmadu Bello Varsity’s 45th Convocation Lecture

The director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will deliver a pre-convocation lecture of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Friday, January 30, 2026.
The event will be chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s finance minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and acted briefly as the country’s foreign affairs minister in 2006.

During her first term as finance minister, she spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club that led to the wiping out of $30 billion of Nigeria’s debt, including the cancellation of $18 billion.

The lecture, scheduled to take place at the Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria, is part of the 45th convocation, billed to hold at Mamman Kontagora Square, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria on Saturday, 31st January, 2026

In a statement issued by the university’s public affairs director, Auwalu Umar, the vice-chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, said preparations were in an advanced stage for the event’s success.

The chancellor of the university, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, will attend the lecture.

Also expected at the lecture is His Highness, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the Emir of Zazzau.
Visiting vice-chancellors from both public and private universities are also expected to attend the lecture and convocation.

Ahmed, on behalf of the chancellor, Council, Senate, staff and students of the university, invited members of the general public to the events.