World Trade Organization (WTO) Geneva, Switzerland under the Leadership of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has added another feather to Nigeria by electing Amb. (Dr) Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid, as the Chairman of Trade Facilitation Committee of the WTO from 2022-2023.
This is contained in a letter from former Chairperson of the Committee Mr. Christopner O’ Toole, to the Heads of Delegation, WTO Members dated 24th May, 2022 that reads “I would like to inform you that, further to my communication of 24 May 2022, no comment has been received by the Secretariat regarding the nominee for Chairperson of the Committee on Trade Facilitation. Therefore, the Committee on Trade Facilitation has elected H.E. (Dr.) Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid (Nigeria) for the year 2022-2023”.
Dr. Abdulhamid was earlier nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, to Chair the Campaign Team at Geneva, Switzerland for the election of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the position of the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) which he performed creditably and eventually led to her victory.
In July, 2021, Mr. President also appointed him as the Nigeria’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organization for an initial period of four (4) years with all the privileges and immunity as an Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Amb. (Dr) Abdulhamid, who is currently the Nigerian Ambassador to WTO, is a Director at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and held many positions such as, Asst. Director, Trade, Deputy Director, WTO matters, Director, Commercial and National Secretary, National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC), Nigeria; National Focal Person on WTO – Agriculture, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Trade & Development.
Others include; Member National Food Safety Management Committee & Member National Steering Committee on National Quality Infrastructure Project & few others.
In 2018, he was posted to Geneva, Switzerland as Charge’ D’Affaires, Permanent Mission of Nigeria Trade Office to the WTO to represent Nigeria at multilateral, plurilateral and bilateral negotiations and meetings on WTO and other trade related issues which includes United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD), International Trade Centre (ITC) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Dr. Abdulhamid had earlier, assured the Committee that he would justify the confidence reposed on him by improving trade facilitation among WTO member nations to move the organization forward.
Ibrahim Haruna
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
