Part of the Black Panther's job is being the first warrior of Wakanda, and in that role, Okoye (Danai Gurira) would excel. The leader of the Dora Milaje (Wakanda's elite group of all-women warriors) has proven herself time and time again in battle, and that leadership role could certainly translate into a more public leadership position if she is called upon.
But with that being said, Okoye is not taking up the Black Panther legacy. The movie consistently shows her with the Dora Milaje, cementing her status as their leader first and foremost, though she's later stripped of her status by Queen Ramonda for putting Shuri in harm's way. As something of a stickler for tradition, Okoye also doesn't seem like the kind of character who would make a claim on the throne or even accept it if offered; she's more likely to be a key advisor and guard for the new Black Panther — that is if she's ever reinstated as general in the Dora Milaje.
