Video: Fani-Kayode presents credentials to Ramaphosa, pledges to reset Nigeria-South Africa ties
Abdullateef Fowewe
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has presented his letters of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, marking the first posting of a substantive Nigerian ambassador to the country in four years.
Fani-Kayode presents credentials to Ramaphosa, vows to reset Nigeria-South Africa ties
Addressing the South African leader, Fani-Kayode emphasised the deep historical bonds between the two nations, rooted in Nigeria’s support during the anti-apartheid struggle.
“I come here standing tall and proud, having been sent by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to present my Letter of Credence to you, his brother and his friend. Nigeria and South Africa have a long history of fraternity and friendship.
“We fought together, we stood by you, and we gave our blood and our treasure for you during your dark days,” he said.
He added that South Africa had “reciprocated in so many ways” and declared: “Nothing can come between the two of us. And part of my job here is to reset that relationship, to come and build that bridge, and to ensure that whatever concerns we have mutually, we can work them out and move forward together.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of closer cooperation, Fani-Kayode noted, “If Nigeria and South Africa work closely together, the destiny of our great continent will be more secure. It is in our mutual interest, and in the interest of our people and our continent, that we ensure that we stand tall, stand strong, and build that bridge.”
He also conveyed warm greetings from President Bola Tinubu, describing him as “a great friend of South Africa and a great personal friend of yours,” and wished Ramaphosa, the African National Congress and the South African people well.
Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation under President Olusegun Obasanjo, was appointed by President Tinubu as High Commissioner to South Africa with concurrent accreditation to Lesotho and Eswatini.
The ceremony, which also involved envoys from 14 other countries, comes at a time when Nigeria and South Africa remain Africa’s two largest economies and key trading partners on the continent.
Their relationship has long been underpinned by solidarity against apartheid, though bilateral ties have occasionally faced strains over issues such as xenophobia, trade and diplomatic representation.
In his response, President Ramaphosa encouraged the new ambassadors to work with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation on practical areas of partnership, including economic growth, industrial development, job creation and skills development.
