Fani-Kayode Accuses South African Presidency of Excluding His Speech from Letters of Credence Livestream

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has accused the South African Presidency of deliberately excluding his introduction and speech from the livestream of a diplomatic ceremony where he presented his Letters of Credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Fani-Kayode made the allegation on Friday, November 13, 2026, following the ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.

The Nigerian envoy said he attended the event alongside ambassadors from 14 other countries, adding that all 15 representatives were formally introduced and given the opportunity to deliver speeches.

However, he alleged that the South African Presidency omitted only the Nigerian delegation’s introduction and address from the livestream, which was broadcast to the public.

According to him, the broadcast resumed after he had completed his speech, leaving viewers unable to see or hear Nigeria’s contribution to the ceremony.

Fani-Kayode said he raised the matter directly with Ramaphosa during a photo session after the presentation. He claimed the South African President summoned relevant officials, questioned them and directed that the matter be addressed.

The High Commissioner, however, said the intervention came too late to correct the omission from the initial broadcast.

He also disclosed that he declined an interview request from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), citing what he described as the treatment of the Nigerian delegation.

The envoy maintained that he would not tolerate any perceived disrespect towards Nigeria or its people, while expressing appreciation for Ramaphosa’s intervention.

The controversy came on the same day Fani-Kayode formally presented his Letters of Credence to Ramaphosa, completing an important stage in his diplomatic accreditation as Nigeria’s representative in South Africa.

In his address at the ceremony, Fani-Kayode pledged to strengthen relations between both countries, describing Nigeria and South Africa as historic partners whose cooperation remains important to Africa’s development.

He recalled Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the struggle against apartheid and said part of his diplomatic assignment would be to rebuild bridges and resolve areas of disagreement.

Meanwhile, the South African Presidency subsequently released the full recording of the ceremony on its YouTube channel, including Fani-Kayode’s address, according to reports by PUNCH.

The release followed his public protest over the omission from the initial livestream. The South African Presidency’s explanation for the initial omission was not included in the reports available at the time of publication.