By Obinna Uballa
The Presidency on Sunday confirmed that Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, is “indisposed,” and announced that Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will lead the country’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings scheduled to open on Monday, October 13, in Washington D.C., United States.
A statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Cardoso, as the alternate governor representing Nigeria at the Bretton Woods institutions, would stand in for Edun at the global financial gathering.
According to the statement, the delegation will also include the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, among other senior officials.
“Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank, will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meeting in Washington DC, which opens on Monday, October 13,” the statement read.
“Cardoso, as the alternate Governor, replaces the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who is indisposed.”
The presidency further noted that the Annual Meetings will feature several key events, including the Development Committee Plenary session on October 16 and the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meetings on October 17. Other activities will include regional briefings, press conferences, and forums focused on global economic and financial developments.
The New Diplomat had reported that the finance minister was flown abroad for urgent medical treatment after suffering a stroke. Multiple government sources earlier disclosed that Edun’s condition was “very serious,” with indications that he suffered partial paralysis as a result of the health incident.
According to the sources, President Bola Tinubu has begun discreet consultations to identify a possible replacement for Edun, given the central role he plays in coordinating fiscal and economic policy.
Security and government officials reportedly confirmed the situation, describing the minister as “extremely ill” and receiving intensive medical care overseas.
Edun, a long-time ally of President Tinubu, was appointed Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy in August 2023. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State between 1999 and 2004 under Tinubu’s governorship.
