Ailing Finance Minister Wale Edun Flies To UK For Medical Treatment

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has travelled to the United Kingdom for medical attention, multiple sources confirmed to The PUNCH on Tuesday morning.

Reports by SaharaReporters on Sunday stated that Edun had been flown abroad for urgent treatment following a serious illness, with a top government source describing his condition as “very serious.”

However, a source told The PUNCH on Tuesday that Edun had just left.

“It’s true, he has left already,” the source said.

Edun reportedly travelled from Abuja to Lagos on Monday night via commercial flight before departing for London on a British Airways flight later that evening.

Until his departure, Presidency officials had maintained that Edun was recuperating at his Abuja residence under the care of Nigerian doctors.

The sources noted that while the minister had fallen ill in recent days, earlier rumours suggesting a stroke or incapacitation were unfounded.

One senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Edun’s condition was being closely monitored.

The official added that while doctors might recommend treatment abroad if necessary, that decision had now been taken.

Another aide familiar with the matter confirmed to The PUNCH that Edun’s illness had drawn closer attention from the President but emphasised that “there are no plans to replace him.”

Meanwhile, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that the minister had fallen ill but was initially receiving treatment 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. He is recuperating. He’s around,” Onanuga said on Sunday.

The Presidency had earlier confirmed that Edun would miss this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.

On Sunday, the Presidency acknowledged that Edun was ill and indisposed. In a statement, Onanuga announced that Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings, beginning Monday, October 13, in Edun’s stead.

According to Onanuga, “Cardoso, as the alternate Governor, replaces the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, who is indisposed.”

The statement added that the Nigerian delegation would also include the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anete.

Edun was appointed by President Tinubu as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on August 21, 2023. Their professional relationship dates back to Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State, where Edun served as Commissioner for Finance from 1999 to 2004.

He has overseen Nigeria’s fiscal policy, economic planning, and coordination of financial institutions.

Edun has been a central figure in Tinubu’s economic team since his appointment in August 2023; therefore, his temporary exit could impact ongoing fiscal reforms and budget planning.

Despite health concerns, he was involved in budget discussions with the Senate last Thursday.