The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, made a public appearance in Abuja on Sunday, after days of speculation over his health and whereabouts.
Edun was sighted at Fraser Suites, Abuja, where he attended an official engagement involving a delegation from Qatar. The minister, who was previously reported to be indisposed and possibly outside the country, was seen walking into the meeting venue on Sunday afternoon.
He later exited the closed-door session alongside the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, after about an hour of discussions with the visiting Qatari officials.
His reappearance comes amid reports earlier in the week suggesting he had travelled to the United Kingdom, UK, for medical reasons.
Earlier, a video shared by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, showed Edun at the 1-54 London Art Fair held at Somerset House on October 15, where he visited the O’DA Art Gallery booth.
Onanuga explained that the minister was in the UK for an officially approved short period of rest from his duties managing Nigeria’s economy.
Before then, Onanuga had said that Edun was indisposed but recuperating in Nigeria, dismissing claims that he had been flown abroad for treatment.
The rumours gained traction after Edun’s absence from the recent World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., which were attended by Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, who led the Nigerian delegation.
Appointed on August 28, 2023, Wale Edun is a central figure in President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform team, responsible for fiscal policies, investment promotion, and efforts to stabilise the naira.
He had previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004.
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