Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is the first African chair-elect of GAVI Alliance

Lazard Ltd announced today that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has joined the Firm as a Senior Advisor, with a focus on sovereign advisory. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a global leader in economic development and international finance, was until May 2015 the Coordinating Minister for the Economy & Honourable Minister of Finance of Nigeria, Business Wire reports.

"She will bring a unique international expertise and experience that will benefit both our sovereign and corporate clients. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has built a remarkable international reputation over more than three decades in leadership positions in government and at the World Bank," said Kenneth M. Jacobs, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Lazard.

"She will be a strong addition as a Senior Advisor to our firm." Matthieu Pigasse, Global Head of M&A and Sovereign Advisory of Lazard, said: "We are proud to welcome Dr. Okonjo-Iweala as a Senior Advisor to our world-leading sovereign advisory group. She will bring a unique international expertise and experience that will benefit both our sovereign and corporate clients." Lazard is one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms. It operates from 43 cities across 27 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals.