King Charles III has conferred the Royal Victorian Order on Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, in recognition of his distinguished service to the British monarchy.

Edun was named a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, one of the five grades under the prestigious honour, in the King’s 2026 Honours List released on Tuesday. About 1,200 recipients were recognised across various fields.

Established in 1896 by Queen Victoria, the Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood bestowed at the personal discretion of the monarch. It recognises exceptional personal service to the Sovereign, members of the Royal Family, or senior representatives of the Crown.

King Charles III is the current Sovereign of the Order.

Edun received the honour for his long-standing contribution as a trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, a position he has held since December 2013. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Award for Young People Nigeria, which promotes youth development and leadership.

Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, was the last Nigerian to receive the honour. He was conferred with the title of Knight Grand Cross, the highest grade of the Order, by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, congratulated Edun on the recognition, describing it as well deserved and exceptional. The President said the honour underscored Edun’s pivotal role in his administration and aligned with the government’s emphasis on youth empowerment, opportunity and national renewal.

Last month, President Tinubu hosted Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during the royal’s visit to Nigeria to promote the global expansion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Edun was among senior government officials present at the meeting.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a non-formal education and learning framework designed to help young people discover their purpose, passion and place in the world.