Finance Minister Wale Edun Flies to UK for Medical Care
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has flown to the United Kingdom to receive medical care, sources confirmed on Tuesday. Edun left Abuja for Lagos on Monday night and later departed for London on a British Airways flight the same evening. Prior to his departure, Presidency officials said he was recuperating at his residence in Abuja under the care of Nigerian doctors. While he had recently fallen ill, earlier reports suggesting he had suffered a stroke or was incapacitated were dismissed. A senior government official, speaking anonymously, said the minister’s health was being closely monitored. “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,” the official said, adding that foreign medical treatment could be recommended—a decision that has now been taken. Another aide noted that President Bola Tinubu has been closely following Edun’s condition but stressed that “there are no plans to replace him.” Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed that Edun initially received treatment in Nigeria. The Presidency previously confirmed that Edun would miss this year’s World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., with Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso leading Nigeria’s delegation in his stead. Since his appointment on August 28, 2023, Edun has played a key role in the administration’s economic reforms, including removing petrol subsidies, unifying foreign exchange rates, and implementing measures to stabilize the naira and curb inflation. Edun previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance under Tinubu from 1999 to 2004 and co-founded the investment banking firm Denham Management Limited. As of Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance has yet to release an official statement regarding the minister’s condition or treatment plan.
