The World Bank Group’s board of executive directors announced that Ajay Banga, a U.S. national, was the only nominee for the position of the bank’s next president.

This is contained in a statement by the World Bank in Abuja on Friday.

“The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors today confirmed that, as announced on February 22, the period for submitting nominations for the position of the next President of the World Bank Group closed on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. ET,” the statement said.

It added, “The board received one nomination and would like to announce that Ajay Banga, a U.S. national, will be considered for the position. In accordance with established procedures, the Board of Executive Directors will conduct a formal interview with the candidate in Washington D.C., and expect to conclude the presidential selection in due course.”

In February, U.S. President Joe Biden nominated Mr Banga to lead the World Bank, saying he is “well equipped” to lead the global institution at “this critical moment in history.”

No other country proposed an alternate candidate for the prestigious post.

Mr Banga, 63, was born in India and is a naturalised U.S. citizen.

The former Mastercard Inc. chief, Mr Banga, serves as vice-chairman at General Atlantic.

If confirmed, Mr Banga would become the first-ever Indian-American to head either of the two top international financial institutions, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Mr Banga is expected to replace World Bank president David Malpass, who will step down in June, nearly a year before his term expires.

Mr Malpass faced strong criticism over the bank’s commitment to climate action and over his personal views on climate change.

(NAN)