CBN Governor Cardoso Takes Charge as Nigeria’s Delegation Head to IMF-World Bank Meetings Amid Edun’s Illness

|By Adejumo Adekunle

Headline:
CBN Governor Cardoso Takes Charge as Nigeria’s Delegation Head to IMF-World Bank Meetings Amid Edun’s Illness

Story:
Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has taken the reins of the country’s delegation to the 2025 World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., sidelining the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anete, who would ordinarily lead in the absence of the Finance Minister.

The unexpected reshuffle followed confirmation from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Sunday that the Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is currently indisposed.

“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, D.C., which opens on Monday, October 13,” Onanuga announced.

He explained that Cardoso would step in as the alternate governor, replacing Edun, while Uzoka-Anete remains part of the delegation.

This decision, however, stirred speculations in policy circles after reports surfaced alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was considering replacing Edun following a reported stroke. The presidency swiftly dismissed those claims, stating that the minister is receiving medical care in Nigeria and remains in charge of his portfolio.

The delegation, led by Cardoso, is expected to participate in high-level discussions on global economic outlook, fiscal policy, and monetary reforms — key issues shaping Nigeria’s economic trajectory amid inflationary pressures and a weakening naira.