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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Former minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, has dismissed reports claiming that Germany rejected his nomination as Nigeria’s ambassador, describing the development as fake news orchestrated to discredit him.
Reacting via his official X handle (formerly Twitter), Mr Fani-Kayode accused opposition elements of sponsoring the report out of frustration over his appointment.
“Fake news everywhere. These opposition elements are so pained by my appointment and they are doing everything to discredit me and scuttle it. Whether they like it or not I will serve my country! Keep crying!,” he wrote.
An online platform had earlier reported that the German government declined Mr Fani-Kayode’s nomination, allegedly citing concerns over his “erratic behaviour” and “controversial past statements, particularly his divisive ethnocentric, tribalistic, and religious fundamentalist comments in Nigeria,” described as “destabilising.”
According to the report, President Bola Tinubu had approved Mr Fani-Kayode’s posting as ambassador-designate to a Central European country on March 6, while the rejection was said to have occurred on March 13, 2026.
The report also linked the alleged decision to a recent incident in Abuja where Mr Fani-Kayode reportedly clashed with the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, during a Ramadan dinner hosted by Senator Bashir Lado.
However, Mr Fani-Kayode has firmly denied the claims, maintaining that the report is false and politically motivated.
His response has since triggered a wave of reactions from Nigerians on social media, with opinions divided over the issue of misinformation and accountability.
An X user, @Adesonm, called for stricter measures against the spread of false information, stating, “It’s time FG and its agencies begin to arrest the purveyors of fake news and propaganda aimed at misinformation. Sadly, media houses and influencers are involved. When they are picked, they suddenly remember their own ‘freedom of speech and expression’, and not responsibility.”
Similarly, @achubani2 supported tougher action, writing, “If you arrest them, they’ll beg as if their lives depend on it and you’ll have no choice but let them be. The level of ‘I’m sorry sir’ will make you let go. This is why many don’t go to court or arrest these purveyors of fake news.”
Offering a different perspective, @AIJ0417 suggested institutional reforms rather than arrests, noting, “I don’t think they need to arrest them. I am seeing a better opportunity in it. The government should set up a special court to speed up fake news cases. If you lose you pay 50m or 5 years jail term. If they can get 1B every month it would go a long way in funding education.”
The reactions points to growing public concern over the spread of misinformation, as well as differing views on how best to address it.