May 07, (THEWILL) — In a significant adjustment to Nigeria’s diplomatic appointments, former Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Ita Solomon Enang, has been moved to replace former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Germany, in what is understood to be a broader recalibration of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial list.
The development follows earlier reports that the German authorities had raised objections to Fani-Kayode’s initial nomination over concerns linked to his past public remarks and perceived controversial conduct. Those reports, which circulated weeks after the March 2026 ambassadorial approvals, also claimed that Berlin’s reservations were communicated through diplomatic channels, though no official public confirmation was made by either government.
Fani-Kayode, however, has consistently denied the allegations, dismissing them as false and politically motivated narratives aimed at discrediting his appointment. He maintained that there was no formal rejection of his nomination by the German government and described the reports as “fake news” driven by opponents.
Under the new arrangement, Senator Enang, who was originally posted as Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, has now been reassigned to Germany and is expected to assume duties at the Nigerian Embassy in Berlin in the coming weeks upon completion of administrative formalities.
While the Presidency has yet to issue an official statement confirming the latest changes, diplomatic sources suggest the adjustment forms part of a wider effort to streamline Nigeria’s foreign service representation across key strategic missions in Europe, Africa, and other bilateral partner nations.
The initial ambassadorial list, announced in March 2026, included a mix of career diplomats and prominent political figures, signalling a renewed push to reposition Nigeria’s foreign relations architecture.
It remains unclear who will now take over the South Africa posting initially assigned to Senator Enang, as the government is yet to publish a revised comprehensive list reflecting the latest changes. Similarly, no official word has been given on whether Fani-Kayode will be redeployed to another diplomatic mission or retained in a different capacity within the foreign service framework.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
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