President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa.
The development followed reports that his earlier nomination as envoy to Germany faced challenges.
However, Fani-Kayode, in a statement shared on his X handle on Thursday, dismissed claims that he was rejected by the German authorities, insisting that he personally requested a redeployment.
According to him, he informed the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, that he was not comfortable with the Germany posting due to personal considerations.
The former minister explained that having spent most of his life in Europe, he preferred a diplomatic assignment outside the continent and chose South Africa because of his interest in the country and its political outlook.
He added that South Africa’s economic standing in Africa, its relationship with Nigeria and its Pan-African foreign policy orientation influenced his decision.
Fani-Kayode stated that he formally applied for redeployment shortly after the initial announcement and that Tuggar subsequently forwarded the request to the President for approval.
“It gives me pleasure to announce that Mr President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa,” he wrote.
He further noted that the approval came after the Foreign Affairs Minister considered his reasons favourably and presented them to Tinubu, who eventually endorsed the redeployment request.