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“I Preferred South Africa” — Femi Fani-Kayode Clears Air on Germany Posting
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“I Preferred South Africa” — Femi Fani-Kayode Clears Air on Germany Posting
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Former Minister of Aviation and Ambassador Designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has clarified that his redeployment from Germany to South Africa was based on personal choice and not a rejection by the German government.
In a statement, Fani-Kayode said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved his posting to South Africa after he formally requested a redeployment from Germany.
According to him, he approached the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, shortly after the initial diplomatic postings were announced, explaining that he would prefer to serve in South Africa for personal and ideological reasons.
“I had lived in Europe most of my life and preferred to serve in South Africa, a country I have great interest in and had never visited before,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode added that South Africa’s close relationship with Nigeria, its position as Africa’s largest economy and its Pan-African outlook also influenced his decision.
He said the request was favourably considered by Tuggar and later approved by President Tinubu.
The ambassador designate expressed gratitude to both the President and the former foreign affairs minister for approving the redeployment.
He also thanked Senator Sam Enang, who was initially posted to South Africa, for agreeing to a mutual swap that eventually saw him deployed to Germany.
Fani-Kayode, however, dismissed reports alleging that Germany rejected his nomination, describing the publication as “false, malicious and defamatory.”
“Germany never formally rejected me. The report was completely fabricated and intended to embarrass me, the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He alleged that the story was deliberately sponsored to tarnish his image and damage his reputation both locally and internationally.
According to him, the matter has already been reported to relevant security agencies, while his legal team has been instructed to commence legal action against those behind the publication.
Fani-Kayode explained that the controversy stemmed from the leak of a diplomatic agreement reportedly sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13, which was allegedly misrepresented by an online platform.
“If there was any formal rejection by Germany, I challenge those behind the story to provide documentary evidence,” he added.
He said the clarification became necessary following concerns raised by associates, friends and supporters over the reports.
Fani-Kayode also expressed optimism about his new assignment, saying he looks forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, a country he described as “remarkable and inspiring.”
