Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the redeployment of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, from Germany to South Africa as Ambassador-Designate, following what he described as a personal request to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ministry.
Fani-Kayode disclosed the development in a statement posted on his verified social media account on Thursday, explaining that he requested the redeployment shortly after his initial posting to Germany was announced. According to him, the decision was based on “personal reasons” and his desire to serve in a country he considered more aligned with his political and diplomatic convictions.
“It gives me pleasure to announce the fact that Mr. President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa,” he stated. He added that after the initial Germany posting, he made “a formal representation” to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, expressing discomfort with the European assignment.
The former minister explained that having “lived in Europe most of my life,” he preferred deployment to South Africa, a country he said he had “never been to” but greatly admired because of its Pan-African outlook, strategic importance on the continent, and closer ties with Nigeria. He further noted that South Africa’s foreign policy posture and economic influence on the continent made the posting more appealing to him.
Fani-Kayode also revealed that the redeployment involved a mutual arrangement with Senator Sam Enang, who had initially been posted to South Africa but agreed to move to Germany instead. “I also take this opportunity to thank Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa and who was pleased to go to Germany instead, to agree for a straight swap,” he said.
The Ambassador-Designate used the statement to dismiss widespread reports alleging that Germany rejected his diplomatic nomination. He described the claims as “a total and complete fabrication,” insisting that no such rejection ever occurred. “Germany NEVER rejected me, which was a fake report that was published in an irresponsible online magazine that thrives on sensationalism, lies and blackmail,” he stated.
According to him, the controversial report falsely claimed that his redeployment was triggered by diplomatic objections from Germany. Fani-Kayode maintained that the report was maliciously designed to embarrass him, the Federal Government, and President Tinubu. He disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to security agencies against those behind the publication, while his legal team had also been instructed to commence defamation proceedings.
He further clarified that the diplomatic communication sent to South Africa on March 13 was merely part of the redeployment process and not evidence of any rejection by German authorities. “If there was such a formal rejection I challenge them to bring the proof with documentary evidence,” he said, adding that he looked forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa “God-willing.”
