Zaria—The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, GCON, is set to deliver the Pre-Convocation Lecture of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, as part of activities marking the institution’s 45th Convocation Ceremony.
The lecture is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria. Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, will chair the occasion.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala, a former two-time Minister of Finance, served Nigeria between 2003 and 2006 and again from 2011 to 2015. She also briefly served as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2006, becoming the first woman to hold both positions. During her first tenure as finance minister, she led negotiations with the Paris Club that resulted in the cancellation of about US$30 billion of Nigeria’s external debt, including an outright write-off of US$18 billion.
The Pre-Convocation Lecture is one of the key events preceding the 45th Convocation Ceremony, which will hold on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Mamman Kontagora Square, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
In a statement issued ahead of the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Adamu Ahmed, said preparations for the convocation were at an advanced stage, expressing optimism over the success of the programme.
The Chancellor of the university, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, the Obi of Onitsha, is expected to attend the lecture. Also expected is the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR.
Visiting vice-chancellors from public and private universities, captains of industry, seasoned bankers, technocrats, and other prominent personalities are also expected to grace both the Pre-Convocation Lecture and the Convocation Ceremony.
Prof Ahmed, on behalf of the Chancellor, Governing Council, Senate, staff and students of Ahmadu Bello University, invited members of the public to participate in the events.
The statement was signed by Auwalu Umar, Director of the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
