The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has traveled to the United Kingdom to receive medical treatment, sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Tuesday.
Edun departed Abuja for Lagos on Monday night via a commercial flight and later boarded a British Airways flight to London the same evening.
Before leaving the country, Presidency officials had said that Edun was recuperating at his Abuja residence under the care of Nigerian doctors. Although he had fallen ill in recent days, earlier reports claiming he suffered a stroke or was incapacitated were dismissed.
A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the minister’s condition 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 care might be recommended—a decision that has now been made.
Another aide confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has been closely following Edun’s health but emphasized that “there are no plans to replace him.” Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed that the minister initially received treatment in Nigeria.
The Presidency previously clarified that Edun would miss this year’s World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., with Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso stepping in to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
Since his appointment on August 28, 2023, Edun has been instrumental in the administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidies, unification of foreign exchange rates, and 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 not released an official statement regarding the minister’s current condition or treatment plan.