The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, is currently recovering at his Abuja residence after falling ill. Multiple sources within the Presidency have confirmed that there are no plans by President Bola Tinubu to replace him despite ongoing rumours about his health.
A senior Presidency official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to address the media, dismissed widespread claims that the minister had suffered a stroke or was flown abroad for treatment.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not a stroke,” the source clarified.
“As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house. He has not been flown anywhere. Of course, he might seek medical attention elsewhere if the doctors recommend it, but it’s not true that he has a stroke.”
Another top official confirmed that Edun is currently receiving medical care from Nigerian doctors but may travel abroad if necessary.
“He’s being attended to by Nigerian doctors. They’re still monitoring him. If he needs medical care outside Nigeria, he will go. But he’s still at home,” the source said, stressing that “there are no plans to replace him.”
Speaking on the matter, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed Edun’s health status, stating that the minister is recuperating in Nigeria.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. Wale Edun is about 69 years old. He suddenly fell ill. As we are talking, he is in Nigeria and recuperating,” Onanuga said on Sunday evening.
These clarifications come after The Whistler reported that President Tinubu was allegedly considering a replacement for Edun following reports of his ill health.
Earlier, the Presidency had announced that Edun would not be attending the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. Instead, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso will lead Nigeria’s delegation.
The meetings, which bring together finance ministers, central bankers, and economic experts from around the world, are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 14.
Appointed on August 28, 2023, as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Edun has been central to President Tinubu’s economic reform drive, focusing on stabilising the naira, tackling inflation, and boosting foreign investment.
Before joining the federal cabinet, Edun had served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance under Tinubu’s administration between 1999 and 2004.
As of the time of this report, the Federal Ministry of Finance has yet to release an official statement regarding the minister’s condition.
