WASHINGTON (AFP) -World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has announced the appointment of Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, formerly education minister in Nigeria, as vice president of the bank for the African region.

“Oby’s life is a testament to her dedication to Africa as is the high degree of respect in which she is held by the international community,” Wolfowitz said in a statement Friday. “Her passion for and commitment to Africa, high degree of integrity and optimism will bring invaluable strengths to our organization.”

Ezekwesili was one of the founding members of Transparency International, an organization dedicated to fighting corruption.

She also served as special assistant to the president of Nigeria on budget monitoring.

Ezekwesili subsequently served as minister of solid minerals development, a post where she concentrated on reforming Nigeria’s mining sector to internationally recognized standards.

She was appointed minister of education last June.

“Oby’s unique blend of first-hand experiences, especially in the more challenging and complex areas of energy sector reform and education, position her as the ideal candidate to serve as the vice president for Africa,” Wolfowitz added.

The World Bank lends about 4.7 billion dollars a year to African countries.