Why Ambassador-Designate Fani-Kayode was redeployed to South Africa

President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa.

Although initially slated for a diplomatic posting to Germany, Fani-Kayode revealed on Thursday that he requested the change for personal and strategic reasons.

The former minister explained that he made a formal representation to the then-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressing his preference for South Africa.

Fani-Kayode noted that after spending much of his life in Europe, he wished to serve in a nation that aligns more closely with his Pan-African vision and shares Nigeria’s stature as a leading African economy.

“I expressed that I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs; a country that has the biggest economy in Africa, closer ties to Nigeria, and aligns more with my political thinking and pan-African vision,” he said.

According to him, he had applied for the redeployment just two days after the initial announcement, and that Amb.Yusuf Tuggar kindly conveyed his request to President Tinubu, who graciously approved it.

Fani-Kayode expressed gratitude to Tinubu and Tuggar for the favourable consideration.

He also thanked Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa, for agreeing to a straight swap to Germany.

The former Minister of Aviation strongly denied reports that he was rejected by Germany, describing the story as “a total fabrication” published by an irresponsible online magazine.

“Germany NEVER formally rejected me. That story was not only irresponsible and insulting but was also a complete fabrication based on hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip,” he stated.

He said the online medium concocted outlandish reasons for the alleged rejection and accused them of acting with malicious intent to embarrass him, the Federal Government, and President Tinubu.

Fani-Kayode revealed that a preliminary investigation showed the story was sponsored and written with malicious intent.

He disclosed that the matter has been reported to security agencies, while his lawyers have been instructed to initiate a civil suit for defamation against the online magazine.

He challenged the publication to produce documentary evidence of any formal rejection by Germany, adding that no such rejection ever occurred.

The statement, according to him, became necessary to set the record straight following concerns expressed by his friends and well-wishers.

Fani-Kayode expressed optimism about his new assignment, saying he looks forward to serving in South Africa, “a nation that I admire and respect given its remarkable and inspiring history.”