Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has emerged as the new director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Arise TV is reporting.

The former Nigerian finance minister clinched the position by a wide margin against South Korean Yoo Myung hee, Arise reported citing officials in Europe.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala received widespread support from Africa and other continents for her role. She was a former World Bank executive who has sat on the boards of several international organisations, including Twitter and the Global Vaccine Alliance.

Her victory came days after European Union member nations backed her candidacy against Ms. Myung hee, who was supported by the United States.

Earlier this month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, chairman of the African Union, said Africa will ensure her emergence for the top WTO job.

Update:

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s confirmation has been put on hold because the United States, a key bloc in the selection process, did not endorse her, Bloomberg reported.

The Nigerian, however, has the support of most other countries, with WTO describing her as the best candidate for a consensus Wednesday night.

We reported that Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala had clinched the role based on Arise TV’s exclusive findings Wednesday afternoon, which now turned out to be inaccurate. The error is regretted.