President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, following an initial posting that had placed him in Germany.

The development was confirmed in a statement released by Fani-Kayode on Thursday, where he explained the circumstances behind the change in diplomatic assignment.

According to him, he formally requested a redeployment shortly after the initial announcement, citing personal preferences and his desire to serve in a country that aligns more closely with his interests and worldview.

Fani-Kayode said he had expressed concerns about the posting to Germany, noting that he had spent much of his life in Europe and would prefer a new diplomatic environment.

He stated that he chose South Africa because of its strategic importance, economic strength, and historical ties with Nigeria.

He also described South Africa as a country more aligned with his “Pan-African vision” and political thinking on international relations.

Following his request, he said the then Minister of Foreign Affairs considered his application and forwarded it to the President, who subsequently approved the change.

Fani-Kayode also thanked the government for what he described as a favourable consideration of his request, while acknowledging Senator Sam Enang, who was originally listed for South Africa but reportedly agreed to a swap.

A key part of his statement focused on reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Germany had rejected his nomination.

He strongly denied those claims, describing them as false, malicious, and deliberately designed to damage his reputation and embarrass the Federal Government.

He said the reports were based on misinformation and “sensationalism,” and insisted that no such rejection ever occurred.

Fani-Kayode added that legal action had been initiated against the publication responsible for the report, including petitions to security agencies and plans for a defamation suit.

He further challenged those behind the claims to produce documentary evidence supporting their allegations, maintaining that none existed.

Beyond the controversy, the development now positions him for a diplomatic role in South Africa—a country he described as one he admires for its history and regional influence.

The appointment also reflects ongoing diplomatic postings under the current administration, as Nigeria continues to restructure its foreign service representation across key global partners.

For Fani-Kayode, however, the immediate focus appears to be setting the record straight while preparing for his next chapter in international diplomacy.

And with that, attention now shifts from the controversy around the posting to how he will perform in one of Africa’s most strategically important diplomatic locations.