RismadarVoice Reporters
May 7, 2026
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has confirmed his redeployment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa following presidential approval.
Fani-Kayode disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, explaining that the redeployment came after he formally requested a change from his earlier posting to Germany.
According to him, he had written to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressing personal reservations about serving in Germany and indicating a preference for South Africa.
He said his decision was influenced by his interest in South Africa, its political and economic significance on the African continent, and what he described as shared convictions on Pan-Africanism and foreign policy issues.
“I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode added that Ambassador Tuggar considered his request favourably and subsequently forwarded it to President Bola Tinubu, who approved the redeployment.
He expressed gratitude to both the President and the former Foreign Affairs Minister for granting his request.
The former minister also appreciated Senator Sam Enang, who was initially posted to South Africa but agreed to swap postings and proceed to Germany instead.
Addressing recent media reports, Fani-Kayode denied claims that Germany rejected his diplomatic nomination.
He described the reports as false, malicious and aimed at damaging his reputation as well as embarrassing the Federal Government.
“Germany never formally rejected me,” he insisted, challenging those behind the reports to provide documentary evidence to support their claims.
He accused an unnamed online publication of fabricating the story and alleged that the report was sponsored to discredit him.
Fani-Kayode further disclosed that petitions had been submitted to relevant security agencies, while his legal team had been instructed to commence defamation proceedings against those responsible.
He said the clarification became necessary following concerns raised by friends, associates and supporters over the reports.
The ambassador-designate expressed optimism about serving Nigeria in South Africa, describing the country as one he admires for its history and role on the African continent.
