President Bola Tinubu has approved the transfer of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, from his initial ambassadorial posting to Germany to South Africa.
Fani-Kayode shared the news in a statement on Thursday, explaining that he had formally requested the transfer to South Africa shortly after being nominated as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Germany.
According to him, the decision was influenced by personal considerations and his preference to serve in an African country that aligns more closely with his ideological and political beliefs.
“It gives me pleasure to announce that Mr. President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode explained that having spent most of his life in Europe, he preferred a diplomatic assignment in South Africa, a country he described as one he had “so much interest” in and had never previously visited.
He further noted that South Africa’s economic strength, close relationship with Nigeria, and shared pan-African outlook informed his choice.
The former minister said he submitted a formal request for redeployment two days after the initial announcement and that the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, considered the request favourably before forwarding it to President Tinubu for approval.
He expressed gratitude to both Tinubu and Tuggar for approving the redeployment, while also appreciating Senator Sam Enang, who was initially posted to South Africa but agreed to switch assignments and proceed to Germany instead.
Fani-Kayode also dismissed reports alleging that Germany rejected his nomination, describing the claims as false, malicious, and defamatory.
“Germany never formally rejected me,” he said, accusing an unnamed online publication of spreading fabricated reports aimed at tarnishing his image and embarrassing the Federal Government.
He alleged that the report was sponsored and deliberately crafted to damage his career and reputation both locally and internationally.
According to him, the controversial report emerged after a diplomatic agreement involving South Africa was leaked from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13.
Fani-Kayode maintained that the publication falsely portrayed the move as evidence that Germany had turned down his appointment.
He revealed that petitions had already been submitted to relevant security agencies over the publication, adding that his legal team had been instructed to initiate a defamation suit against those behind the report.
“If there was such a formal rejection, I challenge them to provide documentary evidence,” he stated.
The ambassador-designate said he decided to address the issue publicly following concerns raised by friends and associates.
He added that he looks forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, a country he said he deeply admires because of its “remarkable and inspiring history.”
