Determined to uphold its mandate of increasing the number, influence and impact of women in political and leadership positions across the world, the Women Political Leaders (WPL) has appointed a former Vice President of the World Bank, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, to chair its board.
She replaces Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999-2008), who had been Chair Emeritus of the WPL Board since December 2022.
The WPL, which includes Heads of State, Heads of Government, ministers, parliamentarians, local and regional politicians, is the first network established by thousands of women political leaders from over 130 countries. Members of its network work together, share ideas and support one another to change the world.
Ezekwesili has been recognized as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and by the New York Times as one of the 25 Women of Impact, 2015. Albert Einstein’s Foundation named her one of the 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book, ‘Genius:100 Visions of the Future’.

She has received numerous awards and serves on the boards of various local and international organizations. In 2018, the Peace Research Institute, Oslo, listed her as a potential candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. She is a Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), a national merit award by the Nigerian government.