Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the redeployment of Femi Fani-Kayode as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, following an earlier announcement that he would be posted to Germany.
The development was confirmed by Fani-Kayode in a statement released on Thursday, where he explained that the change in posting was made at his own request.
According to him, he appealed to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, shortly after the initial deployment list was announced, asking to be reassigned from Germany to South Africa.
Fani-Kayode said his decision was influenced by personal considerations and his desire to serve in a country he felt more connected to politically and ideologically.
Having spent a significant part of his life in Europe, he noted that he preferred a diplomatic mission within Africa, particularly in South Africa, which he described as a nation he deeply admires.
He also emphasized that South Africa’s strong relationship with Nigeria, its position as one of Africa’s leading economies, and its alignment with his Pan-African foreign policy views made the country a more suitable destination for him.
The former minister expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Yusuf Tuggar for approving the request.
He equally appreciated Ita Enang, who had initially been assigned to South Africa but agreed to exchange postings and move to Germany instead.
Did Germany Reject Fani-Kayode?
Addressing reports that Germany had rejected his nomination, Fani-Kayode firmly denied the claims, describing them as false and malicious.
He accused an unnamed online publication of spreading fabricated stories aimed at damaging his image, embarrassing the Nigerian government, and discrediting the presidency.
According to him, the reports were based on misinformation and deliberate sensationalism.
He maintained that Germany never issued any formal rejection of his appointment and challenged those behind the story to provide documentary evidence to support their claims.
Fani-Kayode further disclosed that legal and security actions had already been initiated against those responsible for publishing the reports.
He said petitions had been submitted to the appropriate authorities, while his legal team had also been instructed to pursue a defamation lawsuit.
Clarifying the sequence of events, he explained that what was leaked to the media on March 13 was merely a diplomatic agreement sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his redeployment request had already been considered.
He insisted that the move had nothing to do with any rejection from Germany.
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The ambassador-designate concluded by saying he looks forward to representing Nigeria in South Africa and strengthening ties between both African nations.