By Usman Ishaq Shehu
PhD Candidate | Editor in Chief, J.O.Comms
At the recently concluded 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Sevilla, Spain, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, took center stage as a leading voice for fiscal transformation in Africa. His remarks offered a clear-eyed diagnosis of the structural challenges confronting developing economies and outlined a comprehensive roadmap for domestic resource mobilisation, financial inclusion, and long-term resilience.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at a high-level roundtable on domestic public resource mobilisation, Edun called for a rebalancing of the global financial system to reflect the practical realities of the Global South. He outlined key reforms currently underway in Nigeria, including a robust overhaul of the tax administration system, renewed emphasis on fiscal discipline, and policies aimed at fostering an enabling environment for private sector-led growth.
“Our strategy is built on transparency, technology, and accountability,” Edun noted. “In today’s evolving global landscape, self-reliance is essential. We are prioritising digital infrastructure, transparency, and institutional reform to deliver more for Nigerians with every naira spent.” His emphasis on delivering value for money echoed Nigeria’s broader objective of building public trust and restoring macroeconomic stability.
Significantly, Edun used the global platform to spotlight the urgent need for international cooperation on tax equity and the curtailment of illicit financial flows. He pointed out that African countries continue to suffer major losses due to capital flight and tax evasion, which undermines public finance and social investment. His advocacy for systemic reform in this area received strong resonance among development partners and global financial institutions.
The conference, which brought together stakeholders from the United Nations, European Union, OECD, World Bank, and finance ministers from across the world, provided Nigeria with an opportunity to reposition itself not just as a recipient of global development financing, but as a credible partner and contributor to international economic policy dialogue.
Wale Edun’s performance at FFD4 marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s fiscal diplomacy, reinforcing his role as a key architect of the country’s economic renewal under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Through assertive engagement, reform-oriented leadership, and strategic clarity, Edun is helping to redefine Nigeria’s image from that of a high-risk economy to one that is reform-driven, opportunity-rich, and globally engaged.