Abuja, NIGERIA – Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has confirmed his redeployment as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, dismissing reports that Germany rejected his nomination.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Fani-Kayode said he was initially posted to Germany but later requested a transfer to South Africa for personal reasons and due to what he described as the country’s stronger alignment with his Pan-African convictions.
Okay News reports that Fani-Kayode said President Bola Tinubu approved the redeployment after the request was forwarded through former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar.
He also expressed appreciation to Senator Sam Enang, who reportedly agreed to swap postings and proceed to Germany instead.
Fani-Kayode denied claims that German authorities rejected his diplomatic nomination, describing the reports as false, malicious and fabricated.
According to him, there was never any formal rejection from Germany, adding that those behind the reports failed to provide documentary evidence to support the allegations.
The former minister disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to security agencies against an unnamed online publication linked to the claims, while his lawyers have been instructed to begin civil defamation proceedings.
Fani-Kayode said the controversy stemmed from a leaked diplomatic communication sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13, which he alleged was misrepresented online.
He added that he looks forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, describing the country as historically inspiring and admirable.
