Fani-Kayode, Shehu Sani Speak on Germany-to-South Africa Ambassador Swap

Fani-Kayode, Shehu Sani Speak on Germany-to-South Africa Ambassador Swap

Former Senator Shehu Sani has reacted to the reported redeployment of former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode as Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa after initially being listed for posting to Germany. Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he was aware Fani-Kayode personally requested a change in his diplomatic posting, adding that the adjustment was based on personal reasons.

According to him, the shift in posting was not politically motivated but came after the former minister expressed personal concerns about serving in Germany. “I’m fully aware that Chief Fani-Kayode was the one who requested that his posting to Germany be changed to South Africa. His reason for the request is purely personal,” Sani wrote.

The reaction comes amid ongoing discussions around Nigeria’s recently approved list of non-career ambassadorial nominees by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which includes Fani-Kayode and other political figures expected to represent the country in various diplomatic missions abroad. The appointments are part of efforts to fill long-vacant ambassadorial positions across Nigerian embassies worldwide.

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Fani-Kayode, in a separate statement, confirmed that he was initially posted to Germany but later applied for redeployment to South Africa shortly after the announcement. He explained that the request was submitted to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, citing personal reasons for his decision.

According to him, the minister reviewed and approved the request before forwarding it for presidential consideration. “I therefore made an application for a redeployment to South Africa two days after the initial announcement was made and I am pleased to say that after the then Foreign Minister (H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar) heard my reasons, he considered them favourably after which he conveyed the request to Mr President who graciously approved it,” he said.

Fani-Kayode also expressed gratitude to both President Tinubu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approving the change, describing the decision as considerate. He further acknowledged Senator Sam Enang, who was originally assigned to South Africa but reportedly agreed to swap postings and proceed to Germany instead.

The development has continued to generate public debate, with political observers weighing in on the process of diplomatic appointments and the extent to which personal requests can influence ambassadorial postings.

While some view the swap as a normal administrative adjustment within diplomatic service, others see it as reflective of the political nature of ambassadorial appointments in Nigeria.

The Federal Government has not issued further clarification beyond the list of approved nominees, while Senate screening and confirmation are expected to follow constitutional procedures before final deployment to foreign missions.

Fani-Kayode, Shehu Sani Speak on Germany-to-South Africa Ambassador Swap