Nigeria’s president has nominated the World Bank’s managing director, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for a post in his new Cabinet.

Nigeria’s senate leader read a letter from President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday asking lawmakers to confirm her nomination.

The president did not say which post he wants Okonjo-Iweala to fill, but it is widely believed the economist will take her former job of finance minister.

The World Bank Tuesday said Okonjo-Iweala remains in her current position at the international bank, but said she is in Nigeria for talks with President Jonathan.

Okonjo-Iweala served as finance minister under former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. She was widely praised for negotiating the cancelation of nearly $20 billion of Nigeria’s debt in 2005.

Last week, Mr. Jonathan submitted a list of 34 Cabinet nominees to the senate for approval. The Cabinet list was Mr. Jonathan’s first set of appointees since he was sworn in for his first full term as president last month.