Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has formally presented his original Letters of Credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa, completing a key stage of his diplomatic accreditation.
The ceremony held on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, brought together diplomatic representatives of 14 countries and the European Union.
The participating countries included South Sudan, Somalia, Comoros, Madagascar, Germany, Uruguay, Vietnam, Seychelles, Belgium, Cyprus, Timor-Leste, Maldives, France and Nigeria.
Fani-Kayode’s presentation followed his assumption of dipl duties on October 30, 2026, after submitting copies of his credentials to South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
Appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, he also holds concurrent accreditation to Lesotho and Eswatini.
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His posting comes amid periodic tensions between Abuja and Pretoria over immigration, trade and the treatment of foreign nationals. The 2019 xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which affected Nigerians and other foreign residents, particularly strained relations.
Despite these challenges, both countries have maintained diplomatic ties since 1994 and established a Bi-National Commission in 1999 to coordinate cooperation in strategic areas.
Fani-Kayode has identified improving bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and protecting Nigerians in South Africa as priorities of his assignment.
At the ceremony, Ramaphosa urged the newly accredited diplomats to pursue partnerships that deliver tangible benefits, particularly in economic development, industrial growth, job creation and skills acquisition.
Stronger engagement between both countries is expected to remain central to advancing trade, investment and shared security interests across the continent.