After weeks of intense controversy, media reports, and repeated denials surrounding his diplomatic posting, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, popularly known as FFK, has finally confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved his redeployment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa after an earlier posting to Germany was changed.
In a detailed statement, Fani-Kayode claimed that he formally requested a redeployment after expressing discomfort with his initial posting to Germany, citing personal and professional reasons.
He further explained that having spent much of his life in Europe, he preferred a posting in South Africa, a country he described as strategically important to Nigeria and aligned with his “pan-African” outlook.
According to him, his request was made shortly after the initial announcement and was positively received by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who reportedly forwarded it to President Tinubu for approval.
He said the President approved the request and also appreciated the cooperation of Senator Sam Enang, who was originally slated for South Africa but agreed to a reassignment to Germany.
Fani-Kayode stressed that his redeployment was voluntary and rejected media reports suggesting that Germany had declined his nomination, describing such claims as “false, malicious, and fabricated.”
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He accused an unnamed online publication of spreading what he called “irresponsible and sensational” reports aimed at damaging his reputation and embarrassing both the Federal Government and the Presidency.
“The story was not only false but deliberately constructed to mislead the public and cause reputational harm,” he said, adding that legal action had been initiated and a petition submitted to security agencies over the publication.
He further challenged the publication to provide documentary evidence of any alleged rejection by the German government, insisting that no such communication existed.
Fani-Kayode added that his decision to publicly clarify the matter was necessary due to concerns raised by friends and associates over the controversy.
He reaffirmed his readiness to serve in South Africa, describing it as a country he respects for its history and regional influence.
Fani-Kayode’s Controversial Rejection Allegation
Although Femi Fani-Kayode had earlier dismissed reports of his alleged replacement as “fake news,” his confirmed redeployment to South Africa appears to align closely with claims that had circulated weeks earlier, raising fresh questions over the controversy surrounding his diplomatic posting.
Earlier reports by Peoples Gazette alleged that Fani-Kayode was rejected by the German government as Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominee to Berlin.
The report claimed that the German government rejected Fani-Kayode’s nomination due to his “erratic behaviour” and divisive, ethnocentric, and tribalistic comments.
At the time, the situation surrounding his final diplomatic posting remained unclear. However, the report further claimed that Senator Ita Enang, who had initially been nominated as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, would instead be moved to Germany to head the Nigerian Embassy in Berlin.
The publication also suggested that Fani-Kayode could eventually be redeployed to South Africa as part of the diplomatic reshuffle, a development that has now materialised.
Fani-Kayode Debunks Redeployment Claims
Reacting to the report at the time, Fani-Kayode strongly denied the claims in a post on his X handle, describing them as “fake news” and accusing unnamed political opponents of attempting to discredit his appointment.
He insisted that he remained undeterred and would serve Nigeria regardless of what he described as politically motivated attacks.
Meanwhile, separate reports indicated that a diaspora group, the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria (GCSDN), had written to the German President, the country’s Foreign Ministry, and the German Embassy, urging them not to accept Fani-Kayode as Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominee.
The controversy has continued to fuel debate within political and diplomatic circles, especially following the confirmation of his redeployment to South Africa.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.