Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has been flown abroad for urgent medical treatment after suffering a stroke, SaharaReporters has learnt.

A top government source confirmed the development on Sunday, describing Edun’s condition as “very serious,” though adding that he is receiving intensive medical attention overseas.

“It’s very serious. He may survive, but he can’t get back to work again,” the source told SaharaReporters, disclosing that the minister suffered severe paralysis as a result of the stroke.

The source further revealed that President Bola Tinubu has begun discreet consultations to identify a possible replacement for Edun following his health challenge.“President Bola Tinubu is looking for a replacement urgently,” the source said, hinting at the mounting pressure surrounding recent economic and foreign exchange challenges.

“The paralysis is severe. May God guide us all. This running after dollars is another matter.”

According to the source, Edun’s deteriorating health may be linked to exhaustion and stress resulting from his demanding schedule and poor lifestyle habits.

The source noted that senior officials reportedly work with little rest, irregular meals, and minimal sleep, often staying up until the early hours of the morning and resuming work after only a few hours of rest. According to the source, Edun’s condition was confirmed by contacts within security circles, including the Department of State Services (DSS), who described him as “extremely ill.” Confirming that Edun is indisposed, the Presidency announced on Sunday that Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank, will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meeting in Washington DC, which opens on Monday, October 13.

According to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, “Cardoso, as the alternate Governor, replaces the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, who is indisposed.”

Analysts say that Edun has been a central figure in Tinubu’s economic team since his appointment in August 2023; therefore, his temporary exit could impact ongoing fiscal reforms and budget planning.

Despite health concerns, he was recently involved in budget discussions with the Senate on Thursday.

• ASSU warning strike press briefing

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed all its branches across Nigeria to commence a two-week warning strike from tomorrow, Monday 13.

The President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, on Sunday, during a press briefing at the headquarters of the union located in the University of Abuja.

Piwuna said the decision to begin total warning strike became imperative after the government failed to do the needful regarding its demands.

ASUU had on September 28, 2025, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government as part of renewed efforts by the union to push for the resolution of long-standing issues within the nation’s university system.

The union stated that the strike action became inevitable after all attempts to engage with the government yielded no tangible results.

He declared: “Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their voices with effect from midnight 12.01 am on Monday 13th October 2025.

The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting.”

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB) on Sunday , declared its preparedness to participate in the peaceful protest march for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement, MASSOB leader -Uchenna Madu, noted that the group has always identified with the freedom of Kanu since he was renditioned from Kenya.

Also, Madu has commended the founder of the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, for volunteering to join the demonstration while calling on more Igbo leaders and other stakeholders to align with the peaceful protest.

He said: “MASSOB under my leadership has always been in the vanguard of clamouring for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

From his first arrest at Lagos to this second but unfortunate abduction in Kenya, MASSOB has never slept; his release is very important for the Biafra self-determination struggle for emancipation.

“We have shown solidarity to our unjustly detained comrade. We have shown solidarity in participating in his court sessions, in civil protests and demonstrations.”