Fani-Kayode was begging Atiku before Tinubu made him ambassador – Dele Momodu

Media mogul Dele Momodu has intensified his public feud with Femi Fani-Kayode, following the latter’s recent appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany. In a scathing post shared on X on Thursday, March 19, 2026, Momodu characterized the former Aviation Minister as a “classic case of a wasted investment,” alleging that his elite education at Cambridge University failed to curb a “strange malady” of aggression and conflict.  

Momodu claimed that prior to his diplomatic posting, a desperate Fani-Kayode had been “begging a few of us to help him reach out to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar” as a “Plan B” in case President Tinubu did not offer him a position. Describing the appointee’s temperament as “querulous, garrulous and cantankerous,” Momodu expressed disbelief that such a figure would be “unleashed on Germany” to represent the Federal Republic.  

The publisher of Ovation magazine further alleged that Fani-Kayode is “like fish out of water” when he is not in a position of power. He noted that while he had previously encouraged the former minister to be patient during his “deep frustration and depression” over the lack of an appointment, he now finds Fani-Kayode’s continued combative behavior toward critics of the administration to be “pitiful.”  

In a personal jab at Fani-Kayode’s conduct since joining the ruling APC, Momodu remarked, “it is such a pity that now that Tinubu has finally looked at his side, with mercy and compassion, he is still busy fighting, like a pig, instead of seeking urgent rehabilitation into the comity of sane human beings.” He maintained that Fani-Kayode’s actions reflect a lack of the restraint required for a high-level diplomatic role.  

The exchange follows a week of heavy criticism from Momodu toward the Tinubu administration, which he recently likened to the military regime of Sani Abacha during a television interview. Fani-Kayode had earlier fired back, describing Momodu as “unhinged” and “a shadow of his former self,” while accusing the ADC chieftain of biting the hand that fed him for decades.  

As the war of words escalates, Momodu insists that his critique is rooted in long-standing personal knowledge of the Fani-Kayode family. He concluded his post by questioning the wisdom of the presidency in rewarding what he described as “incurable thuggery” with a prestigious international assignment.