Tinubu Redeploys Fani-Kayode to South Africa
President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, from Germany to South Africa as Nigeria’s Ambassador Designate.
Fani Kayode disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, clarifying that the change followed a formal request he submitted shortly after his earlier nomination to Germany.
According to him, the decision was driven by personal considerations and his preference to serve in an African country that aligns more closely with his political and ideological outlook.
“It gives me pleasure to announce that Mr President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador Designate to South Africa,” he stated.
The former minister explained that after spending much of his life in Europe, he preferred a diplomatic assignment in South Africa, a country he said he had long admired despite never visiting before.
He also pointed to South Africa’s economic influence, diplomatic ties with Nigeria, and shared pan African orientation as factors behind his choice.
Fani Kayode said he submitted a formal redeployment request two days after the initial ambassadorial announcement. He added that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, considered the request favourably before forwarding it to President Tinubu for final approval.
He expressed appreciation to both Tinubu and Tuggar for approving the transfer. He also thanked Senator Sam Enang, who was initially assigned to South Africa but later agreed to switch postings and proceed to Germany instead.
The ambassador designate used the statement to dismiss reports claiming that Germany rejected his nomination, describing the reports as “false, malicious, and defamatory.”
“Germany never formally rejected me,” he said, while accusing an unnamed online publication of circulating fabricated claims intended to damage his image and embarrass the Federal Government.
According to him, the report was sponsored and deliberately designed to harm his reputation both within Nigeria and internationally.
Fani Kayode further alleged that the publication surfaced after details of a diplomatic agreement involving South Africa were leaked from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13.
He maintained that the report wrongly portrayed his redeployment as evidence that Germany had declined his appointment.
The former minister disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to relevant security agencies over the publication. He added that his legal team had also been instructed to commence defamation proceedings against those responsible.
“If there was such a formal rejection, I challenge them to provide documentary evidence,” he stated.
Fani Kayode said he decided to publicly clarify the matter following concerns raised by friends and associates.
He added that he looks forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, a country he described as having a “remarkable and inspiring history.”
Bola Tinubu, Femi Fani Kayode, South Africa, Germany, Nigerian Diplomacy, Ambassadorial Posting, Yusuf Tuggar, Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Politics, Diplomatic Redeployment