Presidency Confirms Finance Minister Wale Edun’s Illness, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso to Represent Nigeria at IMF/World Bank Meetings

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The Presidency has confirmed that Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, will not attend the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group due to illness.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Presidential Office of Information and Strategy disclosed that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, will lead the Nigerian delegation in Edun’s stead.

According to the statement, the decision was taken “following medical advice” for the minister to rest and recover fully before resuming official duties. “Hon. Wale Edun is presently recuperating and unable to embark on the foreign trip. The President has directed the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, to represent Nigeria at the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.,” the release stated.

The statement further assured Nigerians that Edun’s condition is not life-threatening and that he continues to receive medical attention. “The Minister is stable and in constant communication with the economic management team to ensure continuity of Nigeria’s fiscal and economic agenda,” it added.

The IMF and World Bank meetings, scheduled to hold from October 14–20, 2025, will bring together global finance leaders to discuss monetary policy, debt sustainability, and economic recovery strategies. Nigeria’s delegation is expected to present progress reports on ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including fiscal consolidation, foreign exchange market unification, and economic diversification efforts.

Economic analysts note that the absence of the finance minister comes at a sensitive time for Nigeria’s economy, which continues to grapple with inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and sluggish growth. However, Cardoso’s leadership of the delegation is seen as a sign of coordination between the fiscal and monetary authorities.

President Tinubu, through his spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, wished Edun a speedy recovery and reaffirmed his confidence in the ongoing economic management efforts.