The German government has rejected Femi Fani-Kayode’s nomination as Nigeria’s ambassador to the country, citing his “erratic behaviour” and history of divisive ethnic, religious, and tribalistic statements.

President Bola Tinubu had approved the former minister’s posting to a Central European country on March 6, 2026. However, the German authorities officially rejected the nomination on March 13, 2026, citing concerns that his controversial past remarks could be destabilising.

The rejection comes days after Fani-Kayode reportedly insulted the United Kingdom’s high commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, during an argument at a Ramadan dinner hosted by Senator Bashir Lado, the president’s special adviser on Senate matters, at his Abuja residence.

A senior administration official said Fani-Kayode could potentially be redeployed to South Africa as Nigeria’s high commissioner.

Fani-Kayode, a prominent political figure and former minister, is known for controversial statements and divisive commentary in both social media and traditional media. In August 2020, he verbally insulted a journalist during a press conference in Calabar, Cross River, after being questioned about the funding of his nationwide tour, later apologising following public backlash.

He has also faced scrutiny over a child custody dispute with his estranged wife, Precious Chikwendu, and was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with fraud, money laundering, and forgery over an 18-year period. Between 2024 and 2025, the courts dismissed the EFCC cases—including alleged fraudulent receipt of N4.9 billion, laundering of N200 million and N8 billion, and forgery of medical reports—on grounds that the prosecution failed to establish a direct link to the alleged offences