Femi Fani-Kayode has been appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, following presidential approval.

The posting comes after Fani-Kayode formally requested a redeployment from Germany, his initial diplomatic assignment. In a statement, he said he had lived in Europe for most of his life and preferred to serve in South Africa, citing personal reasons and a desire to work in a country with strong ties to Nigeria and a shared pan-African outlook.

He added that he made the request two days after the Germany announcement and that former Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar considered it favourably before forwarding it to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approval.

Fani-Kayode expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Ambassador Tuggar for the approval. He also thanked Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa, for agreeing to a diplomatic swap that saw Enang posted to Germany instead.

Addressing recent media reports suggesting Germany had rejected his nomination, Fani-Kayode described the claims as false and unfounded. He said no formal rejection was ever issued by Germany and accused an online publication of spreading misinformation intended to damage his reputation and embarrass the Federal Government and the President.

He stated that a preliminary investigation indicated the report was sponsored and malicious, and that the matter has been reported to security agencies. His legal team has also been instructed to initiate a civil defamation suit.

According to Fani-Kayode, the agreement for his posting to South Africa was sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 13 and was later leaked to the publication, which then linked it to the alleged rejection. He challenged the outlet to provide documentary proof of the purported rejection.

“I look forward to serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, a nation I admire for its remarkable history,” he said.