President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the redeployment of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa after he was initially assigned to Germany.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by Fani-Kayode, who explained that he personally requested the change in posting due to personal considerations and his long stay in Europe over the years.
According to him, he preferred to serve in South Africa because of his strong interest in the country, its close relationship with Nigeria, and its Pan-African outlook on foreign affairs.
Fani-Kayode expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, for approving his request.
He also appreciated Senator Ita Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa but agreed to swap positions and proceed to Germany instead.
In the statement, Fani-Kayode dismissed reports alleging that Germany rejected his nomination, describing such claims as false, malicious and fabricated.
He accused an unnamed online publication of spreading misinformation aimed at damaging his reputation and embarrassing the Federal Government.
The former minister insisted that Germany never formally rejected him and challenged those behind the reports to provide documentary evidence to support their claims.
Fani-Kayode disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to relevant security agencies against those responsible for the reports, while his legal team had also been directed to commence a defamation suit.
He explained that the misunderstanding began after a diplomatic agreement sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13 was leaked and wrongly interpreted as evidence of a rejection by Germany.
The ambassador-designate said he decided to issue the clarification following concerns raised by friends, associates and supporters over the reports.
Fani-Kayode added that he looks forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, describing the country as a nation he deeply admires and respects because of its remarkable history and role in Africa.
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