Diplomatic Twist: Fani-Kayode swaps Germany posting for South Africa

Former Minister of Aviation and political figure Femi Fani-Kayode has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa.

In a statement, Fani-Kayode said he was initially posted to Germany but later requested a redeployment to South Africa for personal and professional reasons.

He explained that he preferred serving in South Africa due to its economic importance in Africa, closer ties with Nigeria, and alignment with his views on foreign affairs.

He stated that his request was submitted to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who supported the request and forwarded it to President Tinubu for approval. According to him, the President subsequently granted the approval for the change.

Fani-Kayode also confirmed that Senator Sam Enang agreed to a swap, moving to the Germany posting.

He strongly denied reports claiming that Germany rejected his appointment, describing them as false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated.

He accused an online platform of spreading misinformation and said legal action has been initiated, including petitions to security agencies and instructions to his lawyers to file a defamation suit.

He urged the public and media organisations to verify information before publication and challenged those behind the report to provide evidence of any rejection, insisting none existed.

Fani-Kayode added that he looks forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, describing the country as one he respects for its history and regional importance.