Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved his redeployment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of South Africa.
The redeployment follows an initial posting to Germany, which was reviewed after Chief Fani-Kayode formally requested a change of station. In a statement posted on his X handle today, he expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for granting his request.
“I had formally written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express reservations about serving in Germany and instead requested to be posted to South Africa,” Fani-Kayode stated. He cited personal reasons, including his extensive prior experience living in Europe, and a strong interest in serving in a key African nation with deep ties to Nigeria.
He added: “I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs, and values when it comes to world affairs, that has the biggest economy in Africa, that has closer ties to Nigeria, and that is more proximate to my political thinking when it comes to foreign affairs and a pan-African vision.”
The adjustment involved a mutual swap arrangement with Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa and has now been assigned to Germany.
Chief Fani-Kayode firmly dismissed media reports suggesting that the German government had rejected his appointment, describing such claims as “false and malicious.” He stated that no formal rejection was received from Germany and announced that he has instructed his lawyers to take legal action against the publication responsible, while also reporting the matter to relevant security agencies.
He urged media organisations to verify information thoroughly before publication to avoid embarrassing the Federal Government and damaging reputations.
Chief Fani-Kayode thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and all those involved in facilitating the redeployment. He expressed eagerness to assume his new role and contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa.