Renowned Nigerian economist and global leader, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been awarded the prestigious Cressey Award for Lifetime Achievement in Fighting Fraud and Corruption by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in Nashville, Tennessee.
The award was presented during the ACFE’s Annual Global Fraud Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, where she delivered a keynote address.
Dr Ngozi expressed gratitude for the award and reflected on the personal and professional significance.
“Very honoured to receive the prestigious Cressey Award for Lifetime Achievement in Fighting Fraud and Corruption from the global Association of Certified Fraud Examiners at their Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, where I delivered the keynote address on Fighting Fraud and Corruption, including the Role of Trade Rules and the WTO,” she wrote.
The Cressey Award is named after the late Dr. Donald R. Cressey, one of the founding fathers of modern fraud examination, whose work on the fraud triangle shaped how fraud is understood and prevented today. Established in 1989, the award recognises individuals whose entire careers have been dedicated to advancing fraud detection, deterrence, and prevention.
Dr. Ngozi serves as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), making her the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade body. Before her appointment to the WTO, she held two terms as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, 2003–2006 and 2011–2015, under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Aside from the Cressey Award, Dr Ngozi has also earned several accolades, including the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award and the President of the Italian Republic Gold Medal by the Pia Manzu Centre.
