Nigeria

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Honoured by Cambridge University, Adds to 25+ Global Awards

Published on September 29, 2025

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Honoured with Honorary Fellowship at Cambridge’s Lucy Cavendish College

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and one of Africa’s most respected global leaders, has been conferred with an Honorary Fellowship by Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge. The recognition, considered one of the college’s highest honours, adds to her long list of international awards and cements her place as one of the most decorated Nigerians in history.

The announcement was confirmed by Dr. Okonjo-Iweala herself, who expressed gratitude to the college for the honour. “Thank you Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University, for your award of Honorary Fellow,” she wrote in a statement shared on her official social media page.

Founded in 1965, Lucy Cavendish College is known for its focus on diversity, inclusivity, and support for underrepresented groups in higher education. The Honorary Fellowship is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fields and to society at large.

A Global Trailblazer

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s career is filled with firsts. In 2021, she became the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Her appointment was historic, and in November 2024, the WTO’s General Council unanimously reappointed her for a second four-year term that will begin in September 2025.

Her leadership at the WTO has placed her at the heart of international trade discussions, where she has championed reforms, advocated for fairer systems, and pushed for policies that support both developed and developing nations.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala first day at WTO

Before taking charge at the WTO, she twice served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and once as Coordinating Minister for the Economy, where she spearheaded reforms that strengthened the nation’s financial base. She also served as a Managing Director at the World Bank, making her one of the most influential figures in international development.

A Long List of International Awards

The Cambridge honour is only the latest in a remarkable career filled with global recognition. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has now received more than 25 international awards and fellowships, a feat unmatched by any other Nigerian to date.

Her honours include:

Global Economy Prize by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy
Global Leadership Award from the American Academy of Achievement
Madeleine K. Albright Global Development Award by the Aspen Institute
Women’s Economic Empowerment Award from WEConnect International
Angelopoulos Global Public Leader recognition by Harvard Kennedy School
Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Global Leadership Award by the United Nations Foundation
Vanguard Award from Howard University
Global Fairness Award by the Global Fairness Initiative
Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco from the Government of Brazil
High National Honours from the Republics of Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia
Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) from Nigeria
Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World – Forbes (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023)
Top 100 Most Influential People in the World – TIME (2014, 2021)
Top 25 Most Influential Women – Financial Times (2021)
50 Greatest World Leaders – Fortune (2015)
Top 100 Global Thinkers – Foreign Policy (2011, 2012)
Top Three Most Powerful Women in Africa – Forbes (2012)
Top 10 Most Influential Women in Africa – Forbes (2011)
Top 100 Women in the World – The UK Guardian (2011)
Top 150 Women in the World – Newsweek (2011)
Top 100 Most Inspiring People in the World Delivering for Girls and Women – Women Deliver (2011)

These awards highlight not only her professional achievements but also her role as a tireless advocate for global fairness, gender equality, and sustainable development.

A Source of National Pride

For many Nigerians, especially the Igbo community from which she hails, Okonjo-Iweala is more than just a global leader, she is a symbol of hope and possibility. Each recognition she earns on the international stage reflects positively on Nigeria and Africa as a whole, showing that Africans can lead and shape the future of the world economy.

Her journey continues to inspire a new generation of Africans, particularly women, who see in her a model of resilience, intellect, and service.

As Lucy Cavendish College formally welcomes her into its circle of Honorary Fellows, this latest recognition is not just about her personal success, it is also a celebration of African excellence and a reminder of the impact determined leadership can have on the world.