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Kemi Badenoch has reiterated her stance on Nigeria despite criticism from the country’s vice-president, who accused her of disparaging her nation of origin.
The Conservative Party leader, born in the UK but raised largely in Nigeria, has often spoken about her childhood experiences, highlighting the challenges of living in a country she describes as marked by corruption, fear, and insecurity.
On Monday, Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima criticized Badenoch’s remarks, suggesting she should consider “removing the Kemi from her name” if she felt no pride in her heritage.
When asked about the comments, a spokesman for Badenoch responded that she “stands by what she says” and emphasized that she is “not Nigeria’s PR representative.” The spokesman further added, “She is the leader of the opposition in the UK and takes pride in her leadership role. She speaks candidly and does not soften her words.”
During a speech in Abuja, Shettima addressed Badenoch’s remarks, expressing that Nigeria was “proud” of her achievements “despite her efforts to denigrate her nation of origin.” His statement received applause when he declared, “She has the right to her opinions, even to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not change the fact that Nigeria remains the greatest black nation on earth.”
Shettima contrasted Badenoch’s approach with that of Rishi Sunak, the UK’s first Indian-origin prime minister, describing him as “a brilliant young man” who has never criticized his ancestral nation.
Although Shettima did not specify which comments he found objectionable, Badenoch has consistently referenced her Nigerian upbringing in her speeches and interviews.
Born Olukemi Adegoke in Wimbledon in 1980, Badenoch spent her formative years in Lagos, Nigeria, and briefly in the United States, where her mother worked as a physiology lecturer. She returned to the UK at 16 due to Nigeria’s worsening political and economic conditions, living with a family friend while completing her A-levels.
After marrying Scottish banker Hamish Badenoch, she adopted his surname.
At this year’s Conservative Party conference, Badenoch contrasted the freedoms she experienced in the UK with her early years in Lagos, describing the city as rife with lawlessness. She recalled hearing “neighbors scream during burglaries” and living in constant fear of becoming the next victim.
During a recent US tour, she described Lagos as “a place where almost everything seemed broken.” She stated that these experiences profoundly influenced her conservative beliefs and opposition to socialism.
