Fresh details have emerged on the circumstances surrounding the removal of Wale Edun as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The decision, announced in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, formed part of a minor cabinet reshuffle approved by the President on Tuesday.

Following the shake-up, the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, was elevated to the position of substantive Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

In a related development, Ahmed Dangiwa was also removed as Minister of Housing and Urban Development, with Muttaqha Darma named as his replacement.

Edun, appointed in August 2023, had overseen Nigeria’s fiscal policy and economic planning. However, sources indicated that tensions had been building between him and the President in recent months despite their long-standing political relationship.

Insiders attributed the rift to dissatisfaction over low capital budget releases and delays in implementation, which disrupted the country’s January–December fiscal cycle. Federal lawmakers had, in February, accused the former minister of recording “zero implementation” of the 2025 capital budget, despite the approval of ₦1.15 trillion for capital projects.

The lawmakers cited complaints from ministries, departments and agencies over funding shortages and unpaid contractors, with some opposition figures reportedly pushing for his removal.

Although Edun defended his policies, insisting that the government halted the “unsustainable” practice of printing money and prioritised debt servicing, concerns persisted over the pace of project execution.

Further strain reportedly followed a heated exchange between the President and Edun at a Federal Executive Council meeting on December 10, 2025, which insiders said marked a turning point in their relationship. A presidential aide was said to have intervened during the confrontation.

Subsequently, some of Edun’s responsibilities were reassigned to the office of the Minister of State for Finance, signalling a gradual loss of confidence.

Efforts by the former minister to mend ties, including a reported visit to Lagos, were said to have failed, while the earlier appointment of Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance in March was widely interpreted as a precursor to the eventual change.

Sources maintained that by that period, it had become evident that Edun’s tenure in the cabinet was nearing its end.