By Abiola Olawale
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has returned to Nigeria following a brief medical trip abroad.
Sighted at a high-profile government event in Abuja on Sunday, October 19, Edun appeared in high spirits, signaling a swift resumption of his role under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He was reported to have had a closed-door meeting with a Qatari delegation at the hotel on Sunday, alongside Jumoke Oduwole, minister for industry, trade, and investment.
Edun, a 69-year-old economist, appointed by Tinubu in August 2023, had sparked widespread concern last week when reports emerged of his sudden indisposition.
Sources close to the matter revealed that Edun, initially recuperating at his Abuja residence under local medical care, departed for the United Kingdom on a British Airways flight from Lagos for specialized treatment.
Speculation intensified with unconfirmed claims of a stroke, prompting urgent calls from some quarters for a replacement, though the presidency swiftly downplayed the severity.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga addressed the frenzy on X (formerly Twitter), confirming Edun’s brief absence as an “officially sanctioned few days of rest from the rigours of managing the Nigerian economy.”
Meanwhile, the minister was recently seen at the O’DA Art Gallery booth during the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London.
A video circulating on social media showed the minister addressing guests at the gallery.
