Fani-Kayode Denies Germany Rejection, Says He Requested Redeployment to South Africa

Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has dismissed reports claiming German authorities rejected his nomination as Nigeria’s ambassador, insisting that he personally requested to be redeployed from Germany to South Africa.

According to Fani-Kayode, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the new diplomatic posting on Thursday after challenges emerged regarding the earlier Germany assignment.

In a statement shared on his X handle, the former minister said he had informed the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, that he was uncomfortable with the Germany posting due to personal considerations.

“I formally applied for redeployment shortly after the initial announcement and Tuggar subsequently forwarded the request to the President for approval,” he stated.

Fani-Kayode explained that after spending much of his life in Europe, he preferred to serve in a diplomatic role outside the continent.

He said his decision to choose South Africa was influenced by the country’s political outlook, economic status, and relationship with Nigeria.

“South Africa’s economic standing in Africa, its relationship with Nigeria and its Pan-African foreign policy orientation influenced my decision,” he added.

Expressing appreciation to the president, Fani-Kayode said he was pleased with the approval of his redeployment.

“It gives me pleasure to announce that Mr President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa,” he wrote.

The clarification comes amid earlier reports suggesting that authorities in Germany had objected to his nomination, a claim the former minister has now publicly denied.