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Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, has said he requested redeployment from an earlier posting to Germany because he preferred to serve in a country he had never visited and that shares his political values.
In a statement on Thursday, Fani-Kayode explained that he made a formal representation to then Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar two days after the initial announcement of his posting to Germany.
“I 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.
He said he wanted to serve in a nation that shares his convictions and values in world affairs.
“I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs, that has the biggest economy in Africa, that has closer ties to Nigeria and that is more proximate to my political thinking when it comes to foreign affairs and a pan African vision,” Fani-Kayode said.
Redeployment approved
After Tuggar heard his reasons, he conveyed the request to President Bola Tinubu, who approved the redeployment.
“I therefore made an application for a redeployment to South Africa two days after the initial announcement was made and I am pleased to say that after the then Foreign Minister (H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar) heard my reasons he considered them favourably after which he conveyed the request to Mr. President who graciously approved it,” he said.
“I will be eternally grateful to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this favourable consideration.”
Fani-Kayode also thanked Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa and agreed to a straight swap to Germany.
Denial of Germany rejection
He also denied reports that Germany rejected his nomination, describing such claims as false and malicious.
“If there was such a formal rejection I challenge them to bring the proof with documentary evidence. I repeat this never happened,” he said.
Fani-Kayode said he has reported the online magazine behind the report to security agencies and briefed his lawyers to file a defamation suit.
He said he looks forward to serving in South Africa, “a nation that I admire and respect given its remarkable and inspiring history.”
It gives me pleasure to announce the fact that Mr. President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa.
This came a few days after the initial posting to Germany was announced and after I made a formal representation to the then… pic.twitter.com/uQFTMf4vW4
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) May 7, 2026
