Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has confirmed his redeployment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Fani-Kayode disclosed that his redeployment came shortly after his initial posting to Germany was announced.
According to him, he formally wrote to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, requesting a change of posting for personal and ideological reasons.
Fani-Kayode explained that having spent most of his life in Europe, he preferred to serve in South Africa, a country he said he had never visited but greatly admired because of its history, political outlook and Pan-African identity.
He stated that South Africa’s position as Africa’s biggest economy and its close diplomatic relationship with Nigeria also influenced his decision.
“I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs and a Pan-African vision,” he said.
The former minister noted that his request for redeployment was submitted two days after the initial diplomatic postings were announced and was favourably considered by Tuggar before being forwarded to President Tinubu for final approval.
He expressed gratitude to both the President and the former foreign affairs minister for granting his request.
Fani-Kayode also thanked Senator Sam Enang, who was initially posted to South Africa, for agreeing to swap postings and proceed to Germany instead.
The Ambassador-Designate used the statement to dismiss reports alleging that Germany rejected his nomination, describing the claims as false, malicious and fabricated.
According to him, an online publication had irresponsibly circulated claims that the German authorities declined to accept him as Nigeria’s envoy.
He insisted that no such rejection ever occurred and challenged those behind the reports to provide documentary evidence to support their claims.
“Germany never rejected me. The report was false, malicious and entirely fabricated,” he said.
Fani-Kayode accused the unnamed online platform of engaging in sensationalism, blackmail and deliberate attempts to tarnish his reputation as well as embarrass the Federal Government.
He alleged that the publication concocted “outlandish and absurd” reasons for the purported rejection and relied on “hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip.”
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the story may have been sponsored and written with malicious intent aimed at damaging his career and bringing him into public disrepute both locally and internationally.
He disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to relevant security agencies concerning the matter, while his legal team had also been instructed to commence civil proceedings against those responsible for the publication.
“We have reported the online magazine and the individuals behind it to the relevant security agencies and we shall also pursue legal action for defamation,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode explained that confusion arose after an “agreement” relating to his redeployment was sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13.
He alleged that details of the diplomatic communication were leaked and subsequently misrepresented by the publication as evidence that Germany had rejected him.
According to him, the narrative was intentionally twisted to present falsehood as fact.
“They attempted to establish falsehood as fact and this is unacceptable and far below the standard of professionalism and proper journalism,” he added.
The former minister urged media organisations to exercise greater caution and professionalism in reporting diplomatic matters and issues relating to public officials.
He said the clarification became necessary because of concerns raised by friends, associates and supporters who sought explanations over the reports circulating online.
Fani-Kayode reiterated his readiness to serve Nigeria in South Africa and expressed admiration for the country’s history and democratic evolution.
“God willing, I look forward to serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, a nation that I admire and respect given its remarkable and inspiring history,” he said.
His confirmation comes amid growing diplomatic attention on Nigeria-South Africa relations following renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa in recent months.
