Different criteria can measure the achievements of any person in a particular area of any activity. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s inclusion in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2020 may mean that this person has made a significant contribution to the area in which he is involved. Her career as an economist of Nigerian origin is based on the values and beliefs she holds (Biography Reference Bank). They helped her to have a significant impact on society through their activities and professionalism. Okonjo-Iweala challenged the traditional economic structure by revolutionizing the international trading system.
Personal values and their promotion are one of the most important aspects of success in working with finances. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s values are evident all the time during her work at the World Trade Organization and in her social activities (Baschuk). She is a woman with well-defined moral values that help her to promote meaningful public initiatives that can be aimed at supporting society and people in different countries. She also believes in fairness and strives to create equal educational and financial opportunities for low-income people. Such actions demonstrate how she promotes her values and strives to improve the world through them. Okonjo-Iweala has held many government-level finance-related positions at various times, which testifies to her development as a highly qualified specialist in this field. Through her work, she promoted her values by helping to create fairer conditions for all people in Africa and beyond.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s many achievements in developing social and financial institutions make Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala an influential personality. As a public figure, she has carried out many reforms to promote financial infrastructure development and improve social opportunities. Activities in the areas of gender equality and education have contributed to the fact that many people in the world feel more fulfilled. In addition, she played a crucial role in settlement of issues regarding the general reduction of the public debt of Nigeria (Verma). The economic development of Nigeria is her most outstanding achievement, which has made her important enough to be on the list of the most influential people.
Besides her core work in the financial and economic sectors, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has made a significant contribution to the formation of various cultural aspects of society that are aimed at improving the well-being of residents. An example of her confrontation with the current situation is the fact that she achieved permission for the education of girls in several African countries. Such social activities benefit many as they open the way for women to education and allow them to better equip their future by becoming independent. She argues that the equality of people regardless of their gender, race or orientation is essential to the successful solution of economic problems (Biography Reference Bank). Cultural ideals and expectations were subject to significant reformation due to the intervention of a specialist, which can be said to be a significant figure in the management of public affairs. Her financial reform has played a crucial role in the Nigerian economy, opening up new development opportunities for the country. This allows the formation of new cultural ideals in the country, in which the main aspects are transparency and honesty in work.
In addition to her public and professional activities, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is involved in reviewing and challenging some of the traditional policies that can harm people. Such activities are essential for society, as they help people to fully participate in the life of communities, which increases the well-being of countries and people. She actively criticized and fought against corruption, which has become the norm for some officials in African countries (Verma). Such activities have helped to significantly stabilize Nigeria’s financial system and bring out some of Africa’s largest economies. This means that Okonjo-Iweala’s contribution to the destruction of negative established factors is significant and higher than she exemplifies for other government officials.
The role of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in society as a professional economist and expert in international trade is determined by her contribution to the development of this sector. It had a significant impact on the development of various sectors of the economy in all countries and the improvement of their well-being. Her values and principles largely determined her influence and role in society. As guided by them, Okonjo-Iweala was able to focus on financial reform that promotes economic development and gender equality (Verma). However, in addition to her professional activities, she brought many positive aspects to society. The expert actively advocates for the empowerment of girls in education in many countries. Quality education is one of the priorities of Okonjo-Iweala, and accordingly, she tries to play the leading role in order to contribute to the improvement of this sector outside her core activities. Her leadership style is characterized by accountability and transparency, which makes it possible to embody the ideals of fairness and honesty. She has worked closely with the African University of Science and Technology as a Board Member of the Mastercard Foundation to help advance education in the African region.
In conclusion, it should be noted that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is an innovator in many economic and social areas. Her decisions contributed to the significant growth of the Nigerian economy, and her influence on public institutions allowed many girls to gain access to education. These actions have helped open up new opportunities for many people in Africa, which is a factor in Okonjo-Iweala’s positive impact on all the most important aspects of people’s lives. Given all the factors considered, it is fully justified to place this specialist on the list of the most influential people.
Works Cited
Baschuk, Bryce. WTO Hopeful Okonjo-Iweala Balances Nigeria, U.S. Citizenships. CCBC Library. 2020. Web.
Biography Reference Bank. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. 2021. Web.
Verma, Sid. Nigeria’s crusader-in-chief fights for the country’s soul. Euromoney, vol. 43, issue 533, p109-113. 2013. Web.