Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has travelled to the United Kingdom for medical treatment, multiple reliable sources confirmed on Tuesday.
The development follows days of speculation over Edun’s health, with earlier reports suggesting he was receiving treatment in Abuja.
However, sources close to the presidency disclosed that the minister departed Nigeria on Monday night after his condition reportedly required advanced care.
According to insider accounts, Edun first flew from Abuja to Lagos aboard a commercial flight before boarding a British Airways flight to London later that same night.
While officials initially downplayed the severity of his condition, a presidential source, speaking anonymously, admitted on Sunday that Edun was indeed ill, though refuted claims that he had suffered a stroke or was incapacitated.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not a stroke. As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house. He’s not been flown anywhere yet,” the source had told DAILY GAZETTE on Sunday evening.
That situation has since changed, with doctors reportedly recommending further medical evaluation abroad.
A second aide confirmed that President Bola Tinubu was closely monitoring the situation, but added there were “no plans to replace him.”
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga also confirmed Edun’s illness but had earlier stated he was receiving care locally.
“Wale Edun is about 69 years old. He suddenly fell ill. As we are talking, he is in Nigeria. He is recuperating,” Onanuga said.
Despite mounting concerns, the Presidency has not issued an official statement on the minister’s condition or current location.
Due to his health situation, Edun will miss this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings taking place this week in Washington, D.C.
In his absence, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the high-profile global finance meetings.
Appointed in August 2023, Edun has been a key architect of President Tinubu’s economic policy agenda.
He oversaw critical and controversial reforms, including Fuel subsidy removal, Foreign exchange unification as well as Fiscal tightening and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and tackling inflation.
Before his federal appointment, Edun served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance from 1999 to 2004, under Tinubu’s administration. He later co-founded Denham Management Limited, an investment banking firm.
As of press time, the Ministry of Finance had not released any official update on his status.
