Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate, Femi Fani-Kayode, has dismissed reports claiming that the German government rejected his diplomatic nomination.
In a statement posted on his X page on Thursday, he insisted that his redeployment from Germany to South Africa was based entirely on personal preference.
Fani-Kayode said President Bola Tinubu approved his request to be reassigned after he sought a change of posting through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to him, he initially received a posting to Germany but later approached the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to request a redeployment to South Africa.
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Fani-Kayode explained that, having spent much of his life in Europe, he preferred a role within Africa and believed South Africa aligned more closely with his views on continental affairs.
He said the country’s economic influence and strategic importance in Africa also influenced his decision, describing the move as consistent with his pan-African outlook.
The former minister disclosed that the transfer was arranged through a direct swap with Sam Enang.
Enang was earlier nominated for South Africa but agreed to take the German posting instead.
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Fani-Kayode also reacted to reports published by an online platform alleging that Germany refused to accept his diplomatic credentials.
He described the claims as false, malicious and politically motivated, maintaining that no such rejection ever occurred.
According to him, he submitted his request for redeployment barely two days after the initial announcement of his appointment, long before any diplomatic approval process could have been concluded by the German authorities.
Reputation
He accused the publication of attempting to damage his reputation and embarrass the Federal Government.
“The story was fabricated and written with clear malicious intent to tarnish my image and undermine my career,” he said.
The ambassador-designate further revealed that he had petitioned security agencies over the publication and instructed his lawyers to begin civil defamation proceedings against those behind the report.
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He expressed appreciation to Tinubu and Tuggar for approving his request and disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs forwarded the diplomatic agrément for his South African posting on 13 March.
Fani-Kayode added that he looked forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa.
He described the country as one with a rich and inspiring history, while also urging journalists and media organisations to verify sensitive reports before publication.
