Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved his redeployment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa.
In a statement released on Thursday, Fani-Kayode disclosed that he was initially posted to Germany but later requested a redeployment to South Africa due to personal reasons and his preference to serve in a country he had strong interest in.
According to him, having lived most of his life in Europe, he preferred a diplomatic assignment within Africa, particularly in South Africa, which he described as a nation whose values, political outlook, and Pan-African vision align closely with his convictions.
He stated that he formally made the request for redeployment two days after the initial announcement and that the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, favourably considered the application before forwarding it to President Tinubu for approval.
Fani-Kayode expressed gratitude to both President Tinubu and Ambassador Tuggar for granting his request. He also thanked Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa, for agreeing to a mutual swap that paved the way for the redeployment.
The former minister, however, dismissed reports alleging that Germany rejected his diplomatic nomination, describing the claims as false, malicious, and fabricated.
He accused an unnamed online publication of spreading misinformation aimed at damaging his reputation, embarrassing the Federal Government, and bringing him into public disrepute both locally and internationally.
According to him, the publication falsely claimed that his redeployment to South Africa followed a rejection by Germany, adding that the report was based on “hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip.”
Fani-Kayode said preliminary findings suggested the report was sponsored and intentionally designed to tarnish his image and career.
He further disclosed that petitions had already been submitted to relevant security agencies while his legal team had been instructed to commence a civil suit for defamation against those behind the publication.
He maintained that Germany never formally rejected him and challenged those behind the reports to provide documentary evidence to support their claims.
