Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has reportedly been flown abroad for urgent medical treatment after suffering a stroke, SaharaReporters has learnt.
A top government source confirmed the development on Sunday, describing Edun’s condition as “very serious”, though adding that he is currently receiving intensive medical care overseas.
“It’s very serious. He may survive, but he can’t get back to work again,” the source disclosed, revealing that the minister suffered severe paralysis as a result of the stroke.
According to the source, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already begun discreet consultations to identify a possible replacement for Edun, given the gravity of his health condition.
“President Tinubu is looking for a replacement urgently,” the source added, pointing to the mounting pressure from Nigeria’s economic and foreign exchange challenges. “The paralysis is severe. May God guide us all. This running after dollars is another matter.”
Insiders suggested that Edun’s deteriorating health may be linked to exhaustion and stress arising from his demanding schedule and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Senior officials, according to the source, often work long hours with little rest, eat irregularly, and sleep minimally sometimes staying up until the early hours of the morning before resuming work after only a few hours of rest.
Security contacts, including those within the Department of State Services (DSS), reportedly confirmed Edun’s condition, describing him as “extremely ill.”
Confirming the minister’s indisposition, the Presidency announced on Sunday that Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will now lead Nigeria’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings scheduled to open on Monday, October 13, in Washington D.C.
In a statement signed by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, it was explained that:
“Cardoso, as the alternate Governor, replaces the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who is indisposed.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu departed Abuja on Sunday, October 12, for Rome, Italy, to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Meeting, which will focus on addressing the security crisis in West Africa.
The Aqaba Process, launched by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2015, is a counter-terrorism initiative co-chaired by Jordan and Italy. It brings together Heads of State, senior intelligence and military officials, as well as representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to discuss the evolving security threats in West Africa — including the expansion of terrorist networks, the crime-terror nexus, and the overlap between land-based terrorism in the Sahel and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Mr. Wale Edun, who was appointed Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on August 21, 2023, has been a central figure in President Tinubu’s economic team. Their professional relationship dates back to Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007), during which Edun served as Commissioner for Finance (1999–2004).
Since his appointment, Edun has overseen Nigeria’s fiscal policy, economic planning, and coordination of financial institutions. His temporary absence is expected to have a significant impact on ongoing fiscal reforms and budget planning.
Despite health concerns, Edun was actively involved in budget discussions with the Senate as recently as Thursday.
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