Nigeria’s newly appointed High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode, has arrived in the country to commence his diplomatic assignment, pledging to prioritize restoring the “bridge of friendship and cooperation” between Nigeria and South Africa. H
Fani-Kayode, who is also concurrently accredited to Lesotho and Eswatini, arrived at the O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, a statement said on Monday.
He was received by senior officials of the Nigerian High Commission and members of the Nigerian community, who welcomed him with songs and cultural displays.
Speaking with journalists on arrival, the envoy said his primary responsibility, as entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was to rebuild the bridge of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa while protecting the interests of Nigerians living in the country.
He emphasised that both countries, as Africa’s largest economies, must work together to advance their mutual interests and deepen bilateral relations.
His arrival comes amid concerns over challenges affecting relations between Nigerians and South Africans, highlighting the need for sustained dialogue, mutual understanding and constructive engagement.
He is expected to engage relevant South African authorities on measures to address these concerns, safeguard Nigerians and promote peaceful coexistence between citizens of both countries.
A strong advocate of Pan-Africanism, Fani-Kayode is also expected to focus on deepening diplomatic cooperation, expanding economic and cultural partnerships, strengthening people-to-people relations and promoting mutual respect and shared prosperity.
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The reception attracted several Nigerian community, professional, cultural, religious, student and political organisations, including the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Nigerian Doctors Forum, Nigerian Lawyers Association, National Association of Nigerian Students South Africa, All Progressives Congress (APC) South Africa, City Boys South Africa, Egbe Omo Yoruba Association, Igbo Union South Africa, Ohanaeze South Africa, Nigerian Muslim Community South Africa and AREWA Union South Africa, among others.
Also present were former Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, Ambassador Temitope Ajayi; Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche; and Puleng Chaba, Acting Director, West Africa, at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
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