The Central Bank Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, is to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, which begins Monday, October 13, 2025. In a statement issued last night by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that Cardoso, who is the alternate governor at the Bretton Woods Institution, has replaced the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who was reportedly indisposed and could be flown out of the country.
Although the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anete, was included on the Nigerian team, the decision to have Cardoso lead the delegation was informed by the importance of the event and the nation's high premium placed on it.
According to the World Bank, key elements of the Annual Meetings included the Development Committee Plenary session on October 16 and the International Monetary and Financial Committee meetings on October 17.
Other events to feature would be regional briefings, press conferences, and fora focused on international development, the global economy, and financial markets.
Edun, who has reportedly been ill, was said to be recuperating at his Abuja home.
Onanuga, who confirmed the news, told reporters yesterday, “Yes, he’s indisposed. Wale Edun is about 69 years old. He suddenly fell ill. As we are talking, he is in Nigeria. He is recuperating. He’s around.”
Other presidency sources have, however, dismissed claims that Edun suffered a stroke or had already been flown abroad for treatment.
