By Daniel Edu
In a significant announcement, President Bola Tinubu has unveiled the portfolios of ministerial nominees who recently received Senate approval. Among the appointees is Wale Edun, a respected economist with a rich background in international finance, corporate finance, and economics at both national and global levels. Edun will serve as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy in Tinubu’s administration.
Here’s an overview of Wale Edun’s profile:
1. **Educational Background:** Wale Edun hails from Ogun State and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of London. He also earned a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Sussex, England.
2. **Professional Relationships:** Edun is associated with prominent figures like former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, and he collaborated with former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo during their time in Lagos State.
3. **International Experience:** Edun’s career spans 25 years in areas such as merchant banking, corporate finance, economics, and international finance. He has a wealth of experience at both national and international levels.
4. **Banking and Finance Expertise:** He served as the Head of Treasury and Deputy Head of Corporate Finance at Chase Merchant Bank, where he oversaw activities in the treasury and money markets. His responsibilities also included capital market and financial advisory operations on behalf of local subsidiaries and affiliates of major multinational companies.
5. **Entrepreneurial Ventures:** Edun founded Denham Management Limited and chairs Livewell Initiative, a health sector NGO. He is also a Trustee of Sisters Unite for Children, an organization dedicated to assisting children in need.
6. **World Bank Experience:** He joined the World Bank/IFC in Washington DC through the Young Professionals program. His work at the World Bank included contributing to economic and financial packages for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Indonesia and India.
7. **Leadership Roles:** Edun has been the Chairman of Chapel Hill Denham Group since March 2008. He co-founded Stanbic IBTC Plc (formerly Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited) and served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State for two terms (1999-2007) during President Tinubu’s governorship.
8. **Prior Ministerial Nominee:** In 2015, Edun was among the ministerial nominees to be screened by the National Assembly under the administration of former President Buhari.
With a track record encompassing diverse economic sectors, Edun’s appointment as Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy reflects his extensive experience and expertise in the field. His role in steering the nation’s economic policies will be closely watched, as he navigates the complexities of Nigeria’s financial landscape under President Tinubu’s administration.
