Fact-Check: Wale Edun Is Alive: Viral “Condolence Register” Video Is Misleading

Claim: An X user, @MasterBolaji shared a video, alleging the demise of Wale Edun following his removal as minister of finance.

Verdict: Misleading

Full Story:

Wale Edun was appointed Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on August 21, 2023. Upon assuming office, he was mandated with mitigating the economic strain caused by key reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification.

Reports of his removal from office emerged on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, triggering widespread reactions and speculation about the reasons behind the decision. While some media accounts criticised his tenure, citing weak budget implementation and fiscal challenges, others credited him with supporting reforms that stabilised the Naira, improved foreign reserves, and boosted GDP growth.

Following his exit, Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Taiwo Oyedele as his replacement.

Less than 24 hours after Edun’s removal, a viral video surfaced online claiming he had died. The post suggested that the emotional reaction of staff, seen signing a condolence register, was evidence of his demise. The video’s voice-over reinforces this claim, stating, “Condolence register! People have started signing the condolence register!”

See the screenshot of the video below

As of April 22, the video had garnered over 77,000 views, alongside dozens of reposts and reactions. While some users expressed sympathy, others questioned the authenticity and timing of the footage.

This back and forth prompted NDRFacheck to investigate the video.

Verification:
A search of credible media sources found no reports confirming the death of Edun. Further scrutiny of the video’s comment section revealed claims that the footage predates his removal.

Using reverse image search, the video was traced to an earlier event in December 2025. It showed a protest by contractors in front of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja. The demonstrators, who were allegedly owed payments for completed government projects since 2023, staged a symbolic protest, including the signing of a condolence register to highlight the financial hardship and reported deaths among their members.

The protest was also documented by the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, whose members reportedly organised the demonstration to demand payment of outstanding debts. A blog report at the time described the protest as a symbolic “burial” of the finance minister over unpaid obligations.

Additional reports indicated that in December 2025, Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the formation of a committee to address the issue, while the Senate also initiated a probe into the delayed payments.

After his removal, Edun issued a statement expressing appreciation to the president for the opportunity to serve since May 2023.

Conclusion:
There is no evidence that Wale Edun has died. The viral video showing people signing a condolence register is unrelated to his removal and dates to a December 2025 protest by contractors. The claim linking the footage to his alleged death is therefore, misleading.

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