‎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.

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