President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Wale Edun from his role as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy in a cabinet reshuffle carried out on Tuesday, April 21.
The announcement was conveyed by Bayo Onanuga, who shared a statement from the office of George Akume.
However, before the minister was sacked, there were controversies surrounding the minister that the presidency had not addressed.
Below are the three major controversies:
Loss of Key Responsibilities Before Exit
Even before his removal, Edun’s position had been weakened. In December 2025, President Tinubu reassigned several critical duties including cash management, revenue generation, payments, and debt oversight to Doris Uzoka-Anite.
The move followed concerns over a tightening cash situation and revenue shortfalls, despite earlier assurances that fiscal targets were being met.
The situation was further strained when Edun publicly acknowledged discrepancies between projected and actual revenues.
Mounting Criticism Over Economic Policies
Prior to his dismissal, there had been increasing calls from critics and activists for his removal, with many blaming him for economic difficulties such as rising inflation and the instability of the naira.
While critics described his policies as ineffective, supporters argued that reforms like fuel subsidy removal were necessary, even though they brought short-term hardship.
Health Concerns Fuel Speculation
There were also ongoing speculations about Edun’s health, including unconfirmed reports that he collapsed or sought medical treatment abroad in late 2025.
Although he continued to serve afterwards, the rumours persisted and added to the uncertainty surrounding his role.
Reactions Trail Sack
The decision to remove Edun has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians.
Economic journalist Juliana Olayinka described the move as unfortunate and potentially counterproductive.
She said:
“Having watched the politics up close, I can say this is a deeply unfortunate and potentially miscalculated decision for Nigeria’s economic reform journey. At a time when consistency, trust and economic discipline are most needed, removing one of the few steady hands at the centre of reform sends the wrong signal.”
Longtime Ally of the President
Edun had been a close associate of President Tinubu, dating back to when the latter served as governor of Lagos State, making his removal a notable shift within the administration.
