By Gabriel Ameh
PRETORIA, November 13, 2026 — Nigeria’s newly accredited High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode, has pledged to rebuild diplomatic relations between both countries, describing their historic friendship as vital to Africa’s political and economic future.
Fani-Kayode made the commitment on Friday while presenting his Letter of Credence to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.
The Nigerian envoy, who is also accredited to the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Kingdom of Eswatini, conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and expressed Nigeria’s determination to strengthen cooperation with South Africa.
He recalled Nigeria’s support for South Africa during its struggle against apartheid, noting that both countries had maintained a long history of solidarity and friendship.
“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,” Fani-Kayode said.
He acknowledged that although both countries had enjoyed longstanding diplomatic and economic ties, there was a need to address existing concerns and rebuild confidence in their relationship.
According to him, one of his major responsibilities as High Commissioner is to bridge any gaps between the two countries and create a stronger foundation for cooperation.
“Part of my job here is to reset that relationship, to come and build that bridge, and to ensure that whatever concerns we have, we can work them out and move forward together,” he said.
Fani-Kayode described Nigeria and South Africa as major trading partners on the African continent, stressing that closer cooperation between the two countries would contribute significantly to Africa’s collective development.
He also commended South Africa’s contributions to international diplomacy, particularly its role in BRICS, its engagement with the Global South and its support for Nigeria’s inclusion in the G20.
The High Commissioner further described the relationship between President Tinubu and President Ramaphosa as an opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation, expressing hope that their personal friendship would translate into stronger relations between both nations.
In his response, President Ramaphosa called on newly accredited ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions to work closely with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to identify practical areas of partnership.
He highlighted economic growth, industrial development, job creation and skills development as priority areas where diplomatic cooperation could deliver meaningful benefits.
“We encourage you to work closely with our Department of International Relations to identify practical areas of cooperation. We particularly welcome partnerships that support economic growth, industrial development, job creation and skills,” Ramaphosa said.
The South African President assured the diplomats of his government’s support and encouraged them to engage relevant stakeholders, build bridges and use diplomacy to create opportunities that improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
Fani-Kayode subsequently formally presented his Letter of Credence, issued by President Tinubu, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to stronger diplomatic relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with South Africa.
He presented his credentials alongside newly accredited ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions from the European Union, France, Germany, South Sudan, Somalia, Comoros, Madagascar, Uruguay, Vietnam, Seychelles, Belgium, Cyprus, Timor-Leste and the Maldives.
The development marks the beginning of Fani-Kayode’s diplomatic assignment in South Africa, with his pledge to rebuild bilateral relations placing renewed emphasis on the historic partnership between Africa’s two major economies.
Source: Official statement on the presentation of the Letter of Credence.
