Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has announced that President Bola Tinubu approved his redeployment from Germany to South Africa as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate.
Fani-Kayode disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Thursday, explaining that he personally requested the change after initially being posted to Germany.
According to him, he formally wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressing reservations about serving in Germany and requesting deployment to South Africa instead.
“It gives me pleasure to announce the fact that Mr President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa,” he stated.
He explained that his preference for South Africa was influenced by personal reasons and his interest in serving in an African country with close ties to Nigeria.
“I had lived in Europe most of my life and would prefer to go to South Africa, which is a country that I had never been to and for which I have so much interest,” he said.
Fani-Kayode added that he preferred a country that aligned more closely with his views on foreign affairs and pan-Africanism.
He also revealed that the redeployment involved a swap arrangement with Senator Sam Enang, who had initially been posted to South Africa but opted for Germany.
The former minister dismissed reports claiming Germany rejected his appointment, describing the reports as false and malicious.
According to him, no formal rejection was issued by the German government, adding that he had instructed his lawyers to take legal action against the publication responsible for the claims.
Fani-Kayode further said he had reported the matter to relevant security agencies and urged media organisations to verify information before publication.
He thanked President Tinubu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for approving the redeployment, expressing readiness to serve Nigeria in South Africa.
