144
By Godswill Michael
President Bola Tinubu has removed two key ministers—Wale Edun and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa—as part of what the Presidency described as a strategic move to “strengthen cohesion” and improve economic delivery, according to an official memo announcing the cabinet reshuffle.
The decision, conveyed in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, did not cite specific infractions by the outgoing ministers but framed their exit within broader governance objectives.
“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume said.
Edun, who served as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, was directed to hand over to Taiwo Oyedele, who has now been elevated to take over the role. Similarly, Dangiwa was asked to relinquish his position as Minister of Housing and Urban Development, with a new nominee, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, named as his replacement.
The Presidency emphasized that the reshuffle falls squarely within Tinubu’s constitutional powers. Akume noted that the President “has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).”
While the official explanation focused on performance and coordination, the move signals a recalibration of Tinubu’s economic team at a time of mounting pressure over Nigeria’s fiscal direction and housing challenges.
Before his appointment as finance minister, Edun was a prominent economist and investment banker, with decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State and was widely regarded as a key figure in shaping fiscal policy under Tinubu’s administration.
Dangiwa, on the other hand, came into the cabinet from the housing finance sector. He was the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, where he oversaw initiatives aimed at expanding access to affordable housing before being appointed Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Before his elevation, Oyedele served as a key fiscal policy adviser and played a central role in Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform drive. He chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, where he led efforts to streamline the tax system, improve revenue generation, and reduce the burden of multiple taxation on businesses.
His work has been closely tied to proposals aimed at widening the tax base, enhancing compliance, and creating a more investment-friendly environment.
He was the Minister of State for finance until his elevation.
The memo directed that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026,” signaling an immediate transition.
Tinubu also thanked the outgoing ministers for their service, wishing them well in their future endeavors, while assuring remaining cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”