THE Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has been flown to the United Kingdom for medical treatment after days of speculation about his health condition, multiple government and family sources confirmed on Tuesday morning.
According to credible information gathered by News Point Nigeria, Edun departed Abuja for Lagos on Monday night aboard a commercial flight before connecting to London later that evening via a British Airways flight. He was accompanied by four family members.
A top source close to the minister, who had earlier hinted that Edun might seek foreign medical care if his condition did not improve, confirmed on Tuesday that the decision had now been made.
“It’s true, he has left last night with four family members,” the source disclosed.
Until his departure, the Presidency had maintained that the minister was recuperating at his Abuja residence under the supervision of Nigerian doctors. Officials had insisted that although he was unwell, his condition was not as severe as rumoured in some quarters.
On Sunday, a senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, told News Point Nigeria that Edun was indeed indisposed but denied reports suggesting he had suffered a stroke or was incapacitated.
“Yes, 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 had said then.
However, that position appears to have changed following medical advice recommending advanced treatment abroad.
Another aide familiar with developments around the minister confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been briefed on Edun’s medical situation and has shown close interest in his recovery.
“The President is very much aware and concerned. But there are no plans to replace him,” the aide said.
Earlier on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had confirmed that the minister had taken ill but was receiving treatment locally.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. Wale Edun is about 69 years old. He suddenly fell ill. As we are talking, he is in Nigeria. He is recuperating. He’s around,” Onanuga had told reporters.
The Presidency has consistently dismissed speculation that President Tinubu was considering a replacement for the minister. It, however, confirmed that Edun would not attend this year’s Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), which begin Tuesday, October 14, in Washington, D.C.
In his stead, the Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the global finance summit.
Appointed on August 28, 2023, Wale Edun has played a central role in the Tinubu administration’s economic reform agenda, overseeing key policies such as the removal of petrol subsidies, unification of foreign exchange rates, and fiscal measures aimed at stabilising the naira and curbing inflation.
A seasoned economist and banker, Edun previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State under Tinubu between 1999 and 2004, and later co-founded Denham Management Limited, an investment banking firm.
As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Finance has not issued an official statement regarding the minister’s trip or current medical status.