Eshioromeh Sebastian
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has dismissed as “false” and a “total fabrication” reports that the German government rejected his ambassadorial nomination, clarifying instead that he personally requested a redeployment to South Africa.
The ambassador-designate, in a detailed press statement issued on Thursday, explained that his posting was changed from Germany to South Africa following a formal request he made to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, just two days after his initial posting was announced on March 6, 2026 .
According to Fani-Kayode, he expressed discomfort with serving in Germany due to personal reasons, noting that he had lived in Europe for most of his life.
He stated his preference for South Africa—a country he has never visited but holds significant interest in, describing it as a nation he admires and respects given its “remarkable and inspiring history.
“”I expressed the fact that 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.
“The former minister revealed that after the then Foreign Minister heard his reasons, he considered them favourably and conveyed the request to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who graciously approved the redeployment.
Fani-Kayode also expressed gratitude to Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa, for agreeing to a “straight swap” that saw him go to Germany instead.
The Rejection ReportThe clarification comes after an online news platform, Peoples Gazette, reported on Sunday that the German government had rejected Fani-Kayode’s ambassadorial posting on March 13, 2026 .
The online publication had claimed that the German authorities cited the former minister’s “erratic behaviour” and “controversial past statements, particularly his divisive ethnocentric, tribalistic, and religious fundamentalist comments in Nigeria,” which the European country allegedly described as “destabilising” .The report further claimed that a senior administration official said Fani-Kayode might be redeployed to South Africa following the rejection.
Fani-Kayode Reacts But reacting in his statement, Fani-Kayode vehemently denied the report, describing it as “irresponsible” and a “complete fabrication” based on hearsay, “beer parlour talk and cheap gossip.
“”Their story was not only irresponsible and insulting but was also a total and complete fabrication based on hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip and designed to embarrass my goodself, the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“He challenged the online medium to provide documentary evidence of any formal rejection, stating, “If there was such a formal rejection I challenge them to bring the proof with documentary evidence. I repeat this never happened.
“Fani-Kayode offered a contrasting timeline, explaining that the day an “agreement” was sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—March 13—it was leaked to the online publication, which then “falsely and maliciously reported that it was sent only because I had been formally rejected by Germany which they knew to be false.
“The ambassador-designate disclosed that he has reported the online magazine and the individuals behind it to relevant security agencies with a petition for necessary action.
He also stated that he has briefed his lawyers to take up the matter, with plans to sue the organisation in a civil action for defamation.Earlier, on the day the rejection report surfaced, Fani-Kayode had taken to his official X handle to label the news as “fake news,” accusing opposition elements of being behind the attempt to discredit him .
“Fake news everywhere. These opposition elements are so pained by my appointment, and they are doing everything to discredit me and scuttle it. Whether they like it or not, I will serve my country! Keep crying!” he had written .
President Bola Tinubu had, on March 6, 2026, approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate to various countries, with Fani-Kayode initially assigned to Germany and Senator Sam Enang posted to South Africa .
Fani-Kayode, a former minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has now been confirmed as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa—a posting he says he eagerly looks forward to.”God-willing, I look forward to serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, a nation that I admire and respect given its remarkable and inspiring history,” he said.
The former minister expressed eternal gratitude to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their favourable consideration of his request.
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