The Presidency has denied reports circulating on social media and some online platforms alleging that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, suffered a stroke and was flown abroad for treatment.
Presidential officials confirmed on Sunday that the minister is recuperating at his residence in Abuja after taking ill and is receiving medical attention from Nigerian doctors.
A senior government source, who spoke in confidence, described the reports as false and misleading.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not stroke,” the official to The Nation. “As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house. He has not been flown anywhere. Of course, he might seek medical attention elsewhere if doctors say it’s necessary. But he doesn’t have stroke. That’s why we said he is only indisposed.”
Another source from the Presidency also confirmed that while the minister is being monitored by his doctors, there are no discussions or plans to replace him.
“He’s being attended to by Nigerian doctors. They’re monitoring him, and if there’s any need for medical care abroad, he’ll go. But for now, he’s still at home. There are no plans to replace him,” the official stated.
In a separate confirmation, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said Edun’s illness was not life-threatening.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. Wale Edun is about 69 years old. He suddenly fell ill. As we are talking, he’s in Nigeria, recuperating, and very much around,” Onanuga told reporters on Sunday evening.
The clarification followed an online report which claimed that President Bola Tinubu was considering replacing Edun after reports of his health condition surfaced late last week.
Earlier, the Presidency announced that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 2025 World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the finance minister. The meetings are scheduled to commence on Monday, October 13.
Appointed on August 28, 2023, Wale Edun has been a central figure in President Tinubu’s economic team, driving key fiscal reforms aimed at stabilising the naira, curbing inflation, and attracting foreign investment.
Despite his temporary indisposition, officials maintain that Edun remains actively briefed on ongoing economic matters and is expected to resume full duties once he fully recovers.
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