President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa after he was initially assigned to Germany.
Fani-Kayode disclosed the development in a statement released on Thursday, explaining that he personally requested the redeployment due to personal considerations and his long history of living in Europe.
According to him, he preferred to serve in South Africa because of his interest in the country, its strong ties with Nigeria, and what he described as shared convictions and values on African affairs and Pan-African ideology.
He expressed appreciation to former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and President Tinubu for approving his request.
Fani-Kayode also thanked Senator Ita Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa, for agreeing to swap positions and proceed to Germany instead.
In the statement, the former minister dismissed reports claiming that Germany rejected his appointment, describing such publications as false, malicious, and intended to damage his reputation.
He maintained that Germany never formally rejected him and challenged those behind the reports to provide documentary evidence to support their claims.
Fani-Kayode further disclosed that petitions have been submitted to relevant security agencies against the online platform responsible for the reports, while his legal team has also been instructed to commence defamation proceedings.
He stated that the reports caused unnecessary embarrassment to him, the Federal Government, and President Tinubu, stressing that the claims were fabricated and unprofessional.
The ambassador-designate added that he looks forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa and strengthening diplomatic relations between both African nations.
