THE Presidency on Wednesday 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 their positions and were not removed from office.

According to official sources, Edun tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu on health grounds prior to the announcement of his replacement.

The economist, who turned 70 on Monday, is said to have faced recent health challenges and chose to step down to focus on recovery and private engagements.

In a letter submitted on his birthday, Edun expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as both an honour and a privilege.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he wrote.

“Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future.”

Before the formal announcement of his exit, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he held a closed-door meeting lasting about an hour.

Similarly, Dangiwa resigned his appointment and thanked the President for the opportunity to serve on the Federal Executive Council. An architect by training, he had previously served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022, as well as Secretary to the Katsina State Government, before his appointment as minister in August 2023.

Edun, an investment banker and seasoned economist, earlier served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State between 1999 and 2004 during Tinubu’s tenure as governor.

His career spans both public service and international finance, including stints at Chase Merchant Bank and the World Bank.

He also co-founded Investment Banking & Trust Company (now Stanbic IBTC) and later established Denham Management Limited, which evolved into the Chapelhill Denham Group.

President Tinubu, in acknowledging their departures, commended both men for their dedication and contributions to the administration’s economic and housing reforms, wishing them continued success in their future endeavours.

The President has since directed the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

Meanwhile, a ministerial nominee for the Housing Ministry, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, is expected to be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation in the coming days.