Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has returned to the country following medical treatment in the United Kingdom (UK), sources confirmed.
A brief video shared on Sunday by the Nigeria Television Authority on X showed Edun arriving at Fraser Suites in Abuja, appearing "hale and hearty," according to the accompanying caption.
Multiple reports indicate that Edun, alongside Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, held a closed-door meeting with a Qatari delegation at the hotel on Sunday.
Edun had travelled to the United Kingdom on Monday, October 13, for medical attention and was later seen attending an arts exhibition in London.
Reports had earlier stated that the minister might seek medical care abroad if deemed necessary.
Prior to his departure, Edun had been recuperating at his Abuja residence under the care of Nigerian doctors.
The minister’s illness, which prompted heightened attention from the President, was described by officials as serious but not a stroke, dismissing rumours of incapacitation.
"Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not stroke. As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house. He’s not been flown anywhere," one senior government official told reporters on October 12.
Another aide confirmed that the President had monitored Edun’s health closely, but stressed that "there are no plans to replace him."
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, also revealed that the minister initially received 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.
Due to his medical situation, Edun was unable to participate in this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. The Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso led Nigeria’s delegation instead.
Appointed on August 28, 2023, Edun has been a central figure in President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, overseeing the removal of petrol subsidies, unification of foreign exchange rates, and fiscal measures aimed at stabilising the naira and curbing inflation.
Before joining the federal cabinet, he served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance under Tinubu between 1999 and 2004 and later co-founded Denham Management Limited.
As of press time, the Ministry of Finance had not issued an official statement regarding Edun’s return.
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