Femi Fani-Kayode
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a reassignment in his ambassadorial nomination, moving him from his earlier designation to Germany to a new posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa.
The development is part of a broader diplomatic reshuffle involving several ambassadorial nominees initially announced in March 2026. Fani-Kayode said the adjustment also affects Senator Ita Solomon Enang, who was previously assigned to South Africa but has now been redeployed to Germany in what he described as a direct exchange approved at the highest level of government.
According to Fani-Kayode, the decision followed a personal request he made shortly after the initial list of nominees was released. He explained that he expressed a preference to serve in a country he considers more aligned with his ideological outlook and political philosophy on global affairs.
He stated that he communicated his request to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who subsequently forwarded it to President Tinubu for consideration and approval.
“I expressed that I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs; a country that has the biggest economy in Africa, closer ties to Nigeria, and aligns more with my political thinking and pan-African vision,” he said.
Fani-Kayode confirmed that the President approved the adjustment and expressed appreciation to all parties involved in facilitating the redeployment, including Senator Enang, whose posting was simultaneously altered under the arrangement.
He also strongly dismissed media reports suggesting that Germany had rejected his nomination, describing such claims as false, misleading, and malicious. According to him, no formal communication of rejection was ever issued by German authorities.
“Germany NEVER formally rejected me. That story was not only irresponsible and insulting but was also a complete fabrication based on hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip,” he stated.
He further alleged that the circulation of the report may have been deliberate, adding that preliminary findings suggested possible sponsorship behind the story. He said the matter had been reported to security agencies, while his legal team has been instructed to pursue defamation proceedings against those responsible.
Fani-Kayode expressed optimism about his new diplomatic assignment in South Africa, describing the country as one he holds in high regard due to its historical struggle and its role in African politics and development. He said he looks forward to representing Nigeria in strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.
Meanwhile, there has been no official confirmation from the Presidency regarding the reshuffle in an updated gazette or public statement. Diplomatic postings of this nature also remain subject to formal approval by host countries through the diplomatic process known as agrément, before ambassadors can formally assume duty.
