Yonov Fred AGAH

Ambassador Yonov Fred AGAH is presently the Managing Director/CEO of Strategic International Trade and Investment Advisory Services (SITIAS) Limited, with interests in trade negotiations; trade policy research, analysis and advocacy; and trade-related capacity building.

He served as Director-General and Chief Trade Negotiator (DG/CTN), Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN), from 17 April, 2021 to 9 March, 2025.

Ambassador Agah had previously worked as a Deputy Director-General (DDG) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1 October, 2013 to 31 March, 2021.

He was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the WTO, from July 2005 to 30 September 2013. In that capacity, he served as the Alternate Chief Negotiator for the Doha Round; and Head of Nigeria’s Trade Office to the WTO in the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations Office at Geneva. The Trade Office is responsible for the coordination of Nigeria’s participation in Geneva-based trade-related international organisations, particularly the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), International Trade Centre (ITC) and the WTO.

Ambassador Agah served as Chair of the WTO’s General Council in 2011; and was responsible for organising the Eighth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC8). He has also served as Chair of the following WTO bodies: Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in 2010; Council for Trade in Services (CTS) in 2009; Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB) in 2008; Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) in 2007; and Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) in 2006. He was the Chair of the Council for TRIPS, Special Session, from 2012 to 2013. Ambassador Agah also served as a Friend of the Chair (Facilitator) for Article 10 (Formalities connected with importation, exportation and transit) of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) negotiations, from 2012 to 2013.

Ambassador Agah also worked as Deputy Director (Multilateral) and Director of External Trade at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment from 1991 to 2005; Field Manager, UTC PLC, from 1990 to 1991; Sales Manager, Benue Bottling Company Ltd, from 1984 to 1986; and Senior Features Writer/Circulation Manager, Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation, from 1982 to 1984. He had previously lectured at Kaduna Polytechnic, Advanced Teachers’ College, Makurdi, and Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe (NYSC).

He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. He obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics (International Trade) from the University of Jos, Nigeria. Ambassador Agah also has a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Abuja, Nigeria.

He has contributed to various books and journals; and is married with children.