UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has stood by her remarks about Nigeria, despite criticism from Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, who accused her of disrespecting her heritage.
Badenoch, born in the UK and raised partly in Nigeria, has often spoken about her childhood experiences in Lagos, describing them as challenging due to corruption, fear, and instability.
These comments drew a sharp reaction from Shettima, who suggested that Badenoch “remove the Kemi from her name” if she does not take pride in her Nigerian roots.
A spokesperson for Badenoch responded, stating she “stands by what she says” adding that “she is not Nigeria’s public relations representative.”
The spokesperson added that Badenoch is proud of her current role in the UK and will not shy away from addressing the realities she has experienced.
Shettima made his remarks during a migration-related speech in Abuja, where he expressed disappointment in Badenoch’s portrayal of Nigeria. He said the Nigerian government remains proud of her achievements but criticized her “attempts to denigrate her country of origin.”
He contrasted her stance with that of Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister of Indian descent, who, according to Shettima, has never spoken negatively about his ancestral country.
Badenoch, born Olukemi Adegoke in 1980, spent much of her childhood in Lagos. She moved to the United States as a teenager before settling in the UK at 16 to complete her education. Her mother, a physiology professor, sent her to the UK to escape Nigeria’s political and economic instability.
In her political career, Badenoch has often referred to her Nigerian upbringing, describing life in Lagos as “full of fear” compared to the freedom she found in the UK.
During a recent visit to the United States, she referred to her hometown as “a place where almost everything seemed broken.”
These experiences, Badenoch says, have shaped her conservative beliefs and her opposition to socialism.
Despite the backlash, she remains firm in her views and continues to emphasize her pride in her achievements in the UK.
