By Nworisa Michael
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Mrs Patience Okala as the National Coordinator of Nigeria’s African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Office, effective immediately.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who stated that the appointment demonstrates the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s position in continental trade.
“This appointment underscores President Tinubu’s resolve to deepen intra-African trade, expand non-oil exports, and accelerate economic diversification under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Onanuga said.
Mrs Okala, a veteran in trade and investment, brings extensive experience in international negotiations and economic policy. She previously served as Director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, where she led Nigeria’s engagements on bilateral investment treaties and participated in negotiations under ICSID, UNCITRAL, AfCFTA, UNCTAD, IISD, and the OECD.
She also served as Expert Advisor to the AfCFTA Secretariat from 2023 to 2025 and, as Special Adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, played a key role in strengthening Nigeria’s AfCFTA institutional framework, including oversight of the Central Coordination Committee and supporting Nigeria’s designation as Co-Champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade.
In her new role, Mrs Okala will oversee the domestic implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement, coordinate national stakeholder engagement, and drive Nigeria’s strategic positioning within Africa’s trade system.
The appointment also honors the legacy of the late Olusegun Awolowo, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to regional economic integration and trade competitiveness.
