Tinubu sacks Edun, Dangiwa

President Bola Tinubu has sacked Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy. Edun was sacked alongside Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, announced this in a memo, according to a statement by Yomi Odunuga, the SGF’s spokesperson. The memo […]

President Bola Tinubu has sacked Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy.

Edun was sacked alongside Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, announced this in a memo, according to a statement by Yomi Odunuga, the SGF’s spokesperson.

The memo said Edun was directed to hand over to Taiwo Oyedele, who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Oyedele was formerly Minister of State for Finance.

Also, Dr Muttaqha Rabe Darma has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “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.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, 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).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume said, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

The long goodbye of Wale Edun

Daily Trust reports that in August 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Taiwo Oyedele as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, tasking him with simplifying Nigeria’s tax system, reducing the burden on low-income earners and small businesses, and raising the tax-to-GDP ratio from about 10 per cent to 18 per cent within three years.

Under Oyedele’s leadership, the committee proposed far-reaching reforms, including the establishment of a unified Nigeria Revenue Service to consolidate multiple tax agencies.

Checks indicate that his appointment came amid speculation that the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka Anite, would replace Wale Edun as substantive Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

In what many viewed as a demotion, key agencies previously under Edun’s supervision were reassigned to Anite.

Sources linked Edun’s troubles to his public remarks, particularly his acknowledgement of discrepancies in Nigeria’s budget and revenue projections, which appeared to contradict the presidency’s position.

Notably, Edun had admitted that the government might not meet its 2025 revenue target of N30 trillion and highlighted gaps between budget projections and actual funding.

By December 2025, major revenue-generating agencies, including the newly created Nigerian Revenue Service (formerly FIRS), were moved to the Minister of State’s office, placing them under Oyedele’s direct influence.

Although there had been speculation that Edun might serve out his term until 2027, developments took a different turn, as Oyedele was elevated as substantive Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Oyedele is a seasoned accountant with over 22 years of experience at PwC, where he worked across both private and public sectors.

His career includes advising governments and contributing to regional tax harmonisation initiatives, particularly within ECOWAS frameworks.

He also served as vice chairman of the National Tax Policy Committee under the Federal Ministry of Finance and provided technical input to the World Bank’s Doing Business report.

In August 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Oyedele as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

Last month, Oyedele was appointed Minister of State for Finance.

 

Darma

Checks by Daily Trust show that Engr. Darma is a former academic, public administrator and one-time Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

He began his career as a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Bayero University, Kano, before moving into managerial roles in the power sector, including at the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). He also gained private sector experience in automobile assembly and oil industry operations.

In public service, Darma held several strategic positions in Katsina State, including Director at Government House, Executive Director of the State Environmental Protection Agency, and Commissioner in ministries such as Rural Development, Women Affairs, Works, Housing and Transport.

At the federal level, he served as Executive Secretary of the PTDF under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

Last week, he declared his intention to contest the Katsina Central Senatorial seat, pledging to prioritise welfare, education and economic empowerment.

He said his ambition is driven by a desire to improve living standards, not personal gain.

“I am not rich, and I am not seeking to become rich. My goal is to make others prosper and ensure no one is poor in Katsina State,” he said.

He emphasised access to quality education and improved living conditions, adding that his experience and understanding of legislative processes would guide his performance.

“I understand how the Senate works, and I am ready to deploy that knowledge for my people,” he said.

Darma, active in politics since 1989, said his decision followed pressure from supporters across the 11 local government areas in the zone.

He reaffirmed his readiness to serve, stressing that elections remain the legitimate path to leadership in a democracy.

Further checks by Daily Trust indicate that Darma’s appointment as minister has effectively taken him out of the Katsina Central senatorial race, clearing the path for Governor Umaru Dikko Radda’s preferred candidate.

The governor is said to be backing Abbas Masanawa, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).

Sources revealed that Masanawa had contested the APC governorship primaries in 2022 against Radda. Following the exercise, both men reportedly reconciled, with the governor later encouraging him to contest the Katsina Central senatorial seat.

Insiders said the latest development strengthens Masanawa’s chances, as the political field narrows ahead of the contest.

 

It’s a privilege to serve Nigeria – Dangiwa

Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa has thanked to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in the Federal Executive Council and contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Reacting to the recent cabinet reshuffle, Dangiwa described his tenure as both a privilege and a call to national service, noting that he was honoured to lead reforms in Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector.

“I sincerely thank Mr President for the confidence reposed in me to serve as Minister of Housing and Urban Development. It has been a rare privilege to contribute to policies aimed at expanding access to affordable housing,” he said.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mark Chieshe, Dangiwa noted that the ministry recorded notable progress under Tinubu’s leadership, repositioning the housing sector as a driver of economic growth, job creation and social inclusion.

He also appreciated members of the Federal Executive Council, development partners, and staff of the ministry and its agencies for their support.

“Together, we laid strong foundations for a more structured and sustainable housing delivery system,” he said.

While acknowledging the directive to hand over, he assured a smooth transition and expressed confidence in the incoming leadership to build on existing gains.

Dangiwa reaffirmed his commitment to national development, pledging continued support for initiatives that promote housing, infrastructure and economic growth in Nigeria.