The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria for 15 years of civic mobilisation, urging young Nigerians to continue using their voices to demand accountability and build the nation they deserve.
Okonjo-Iweala delivered her keynote address at EiE Nigeria’s 15th-anniversary celebration, Footprints & Frontlines, a gathering that brought together leaders in business, civil society, governance, media, faith, traditional institutions and pop culture to reflect on citizen action and chart a new era of public engagement.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the invitation… and humbled to be reminded that I myself played a small role in catalysing the emergence of this remarkable movement,” she said, recalling a 2010 speech at The Future Awards that helped inspire early civic activism within the EiE community.
The WTO chief said she had challenged young people at the time to recognise their power and to organise peacefully around national issues.
“I wanted to tell them that they had agency… that they could shape events in their own lives and change our country for the better,” she said.
“With 70% of our population under 30, if young people spoke up, the rest of us would have to listen.”
She praised EiE Nigeria for turning citizen frustration into constructive action rather than violence.
“Enough is Enough Nigeria has been about much more than outrage. It has channelled the energy and urgency of young people into action,” she noted.
Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the impact of initiatives such as the Office of the Citizen radio programme, which she described as “a practical platform for people to push for services,” citing examples of reopened healthcare centres, improved school facilities and restored electricity in underserved communities.
She also recalled being held accountable by the organisation during her tenure as Nigeria’s finance minister.
“I remember being at the receiving end… when we hosted the World Economic Forum Africa in Abuja,” she said, adding that EiE’s growth since then “is remarkable.”
The WTO DG urged the organisation not to relent.
“Real change in our country will be pushed forward by responsible civil society organisations like Enough is Enough,” she said.
“Even as you celebrate this anniversary, keep up the good work. Nigeria needs your determination and courage.”
She reminded the audience that despite demographic shifts, the youth remain central to Nigeria’s political future.
“Seventy percent of our now more than 230 million citizens are below the age of 30,” she noted. “Help them find their voices and build the Nigeria they deserve.”
The event also featured contributions from other national figures, including, Emir Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi, Omobola Johnson, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah among others.
