By Ayomide Otitoju
The Presidency has clarified that former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, voluntarily resigned from the Federal Executive Council and were not dismissed.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Edun resigned on health grounds before President Bola Tinubu announced his replacement on Tuesday.
Onanuga added that Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and expressed appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve.
Following Edun’s exit, he was directed to hand over to Taiwo Oyedele, while Dangiwa was asked to hand over to Muttaqha Rabe Darma.
The Presidency noted that Edun, who marked his 70th birthday on Monday amid reported health challenges, submitted his resignation letter on the same day, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement quoted Edun as saying, adding that Nigeria had become “stronger, more resilient, and more internationally respected” under the administration.
Onanuga further disclosed that Edun paid a farewell visit to President Tinubu at the State House on Tuesday, where they held a closed-door meeting before his exit was formally announced.
Dangiwa, an architect and former Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, previously served as Secretary to the Katsina State Government before his appointment in August 2023.
Edun, an economist and investment banker, previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 under then-Governor Bola Tinubu. He also had a long career in banking and investment management, including roles at Chase Merchant Bank, the World Bank, and as co-founder of Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited.
The Presidency said President Tinubu has thanked both former ministers for their service and contributions to ongoing economic reforms and wished them success in their future endeavours.
It added that the President has directed the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms, while Muttaqha Rabe Darma is expected to be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
