Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke as secretary-general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries [OPEC], according to reports from Reuters.

At a time when Alison-Madueke is facing pressure in Nigeria especially from the federal house of representatives over her alleged expense of N10b on private jet charter, she is on course to make history as the first female secretary general of OPEC.

The post, currently held by Abdullah al-Badri, will become vacant in December.

The news of Alison-Madueke’s nomination was disclosed by Iraq’s oil minister, Abdul Kareem Luaibi, yesterday. According to Luaibi, there is currently a deadlock between the candidates of Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the nomination of Alison-Madueke is intended to solve the deadlock.

OPEC is expected to meet Wednesday(today) but it’s unclear if a decision would be reached on the matter.