King Charles III has conferred the Royal Victorian Order onWale Edun, Nigeria’s finance minister and coordinating minister of the economy,placing him among a select group recognised for service to the Britishmonarchy. Nearly 1,200 people were recognised in the King’s honourslist for 2026 which was released Tuesday. Edun received the title of ‘commander’, one of the fivegrades under the Victorian order. The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthoodestablished in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to themonarchy, members of the royal family, or to any viceroy or seniorrepresentative of the monarch. Charles, the present monarch, is the sovereign of the order. Edun was honoured with the award as a trustee of the Duke ofEdinburgh’s International Award Foundation, a role he has held since December2013. The finance minister also chairs the board of trustees ofthe International Award for Young People Nigeria. Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth secretary-general, wasthe last Nigerian recipient of the Royal Victorian Order. Queen Elizabeth IIconferred Anyaoku with the title of Knight Grand Cross, the highest grade inthe award, in 2000. In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, presidentialspokesman, President Bola Tinubu congratulated Edun for the recognition,describing it as exceptional. Tinubu said the minister is a pivotal member of his cabinet,adding that the recognition aligned with the priority his administration placeson youth empowerment, opportunity, and national renewal. Last month, Tinubu received Prince Edward, the Duke ofEdinburgh, at the presidential villa in Abuja. Edward visited Nigeria to champion the expansion of the Dukeof Edinburgh’s International Award across the world. The award is a non-formal education and learning frameworksupporting young people to find their purpose, place and passion in the world. Edun was among Nigerian officials present at the meeting.
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