Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A disturbing scene unfolded at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Wednesday as some staff members were seen placing a framed image of the recently removed Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on a coffin while openly celebrating his dismissal from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. Videos and photographs circulating widely on social media captured the moment, which has since sparked outrage and condemnation from civil society groups, political commentators, and citizens who described the act as deeply disrespectful and unbecoming of public servants. The celebration comes barely 24 hours after President Tinubu announced the removal of Edun and the Minister of Housing, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, in a minor cabinet reshuffle that saw the elevation of the former Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, as the substantive finance minister. The Presidency had stated that the changes were aimed at strengthening governance synergy and delivering more impactful results under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The exact location and timing of the incident remain unclear, but the footage appears to have been recorded inside a government office, with several individuals in formal attire gathered around a white casket bearing Edun’s photograph. Some in the video were heard laughing and making comments suggesting that the former minister’s departure was long overdue. The coffin, which is not typically used in Nigerian workplace celebrations, added a macabre element to the festivities and has drawn sharp criticism from those who argue that even political disagreements should be handled with dignity and respect. The Ministry of Finance has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident, and it is unclear whether the staff members involved have been identified or will face disciplinary action. Calls to the ministry’s spokesperson went unanswered as of the time of this report.
Wale Edun, a long-time associate of President Tinubu and former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, was removed from office on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, alongside the Minister of Housing. His exit was not accompanied by any official explanation of wrongdoing; rather, the government framed the reshuffle as a routine administrative move to enhance performance. Edun had served as the Minister of Finance since the inception of the Tinubu administration in 2023, overseeing a turbulent period marked by the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, and efforts to stabilize the naira. While some economic analysts praised his technical competence, others criticized his handling of inflation and the rising cost of living. The celebration of his dismissal by ministry staff suggests deep-seated grievances within the workforce, possibly related to working conditions, policy disagreements, or personal animosity.
The incident has drawn swift condemnation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which described the act as “unprofessional and disrespectful to the office of a former minister, regardless of any personal feelings.” In a statement, the anti-graft agency called on the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to investigate the matter and take appropriate disciplinary action. The Nigeria Civil Service Union also distanced itself from the actions of the staff, stating that such behavior violates the core values of the public service, including neutrality, respect for hierarchy, and professionalism. “The civil service is not a platform for personal vendettas or undignified celebrations. Those involved should be sanctioned to serve as a deterrent,” the union’s secretary said in a telephone interview.
The use of a coffin in the celebration is particularly sensitive in Nigeria, where coffins are associated with death and mourning. Political opponents of Edun have also weighed in, with some defending the staff as expressing their pent-up frustration over the former minister’s policies. A social media user wrote, “If the workers are celebrating, then Edun must have made their lives miserable. Let them celebrate.” Others, however, argued that the staff should have followed official channels to register complaints rather than resorting to mockery. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has not commented directly on the incident, but a source close to the ministry told reporters that the government is “aware of the video and is reviewing the situation.”
President Tinubu has not reacted to the footage, and his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to requests for comment. The new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, who assumed office on Wednesday, has also not addressed the incident. Oyedele, a former fiscal policy expert and tax specialist, is expected to focus on revenue generation and economic stabilization. The controversy surrounding the coffin celebration could distract from the administration’s messaging about the cabinet reshuffle, which was intended to signal a renewed focus on economic delivery. Instead, the public conversation has shifted to the conduct of civil servants and the morale within the finance ministry.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned the act as “disgraceful” and called for the immediate suspension of those involved pending investigation. “If civil servants are allowed to openly mock a former minister with a coffin, what stops them from doing worse to their superiors? This is a dangerous precedent and must be addressed,” Effiong wrote on his X handle. On the other hand, some political activists argued that the incident reflects the growing impatience and frustration among Nigerians with the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, and that the staff’s actions should be seen as a symptom of deeper systemic issues rather than isolated misconduct.
The Ministry of Finance is yet to confirm whether any staff have been arrested or queried. The Federal Civil Service Commission has the authority to discipline employees for gross misconduct, and the act of placing a minister’s image on a coffin could be interpreted as insubordination and conduct likely to bring the service into disrepute. If the staff members are identified, they could face suspension, dismissal, or even criminal charges depending on the interpretation of the relevant public service rules. For now, the video continues to trend online, and the nation watches to see whether the government will take action or allow the act to pass without consequence. The coffin celebration has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a routine cabinet reshuffle and has raised uncomfortable questions about the state of morale and discipline within Nigeria’s civil service.
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