Wale Edun resigned as Finance Minister on health grounds — Presidency

The Presidency has clarified that former Finance Minister Wale Edun and former Housing Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa voluntarily resigned their positions before President Bola Tinubu announced their replacements on Tuesday, dismissing insinuations that the two ministers were fired.

Edun, who turned 70 on Monday, submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, citing health reasons.

He paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa on Tuesday, holding an hour-long discussion before departing to focus on his private businesses.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Edun wrote in his resignation letter, adding that Nigeria had emerged stronger and more internationally respected under Tinubu’s leadership.

Dangiwa similarly tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Edun, an economist and investment banker, served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 under then Governor Tinubu.

He co-founded Investment Banking and Trust Company Limited, now Stanbic IBTC, in 1989, and later founded the Chapelhill Denham Group in 1994.

Dangiwa, an architect, previously served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank between 2015 and 2022 and as Secretary to the Katsina State Government before his ministerial appointment in August 2023.

Tinubu expressed appreciation to both men for their contributions to his administration’s economic reform programme and urged the incoming Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms with renewed focus and discipline.

The President is expected to shortly transmit the name of Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, to the Senate for confirmation as the new Housing Minister.