London: Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has announced that she no longer identifies as Nigerian and revealed that she has not renewed her Nigerian passport since the early 2000s. Born in the UK and having spent parts of her childhood in Nigeria and the US, Badenoch returned to England at the age of 16 due to Nigeria's challenging political and economic situation, as well as to pursue her education.
According to Ghana News Agency, Badenoch made these comments during an appearance on the Rosebud podcast hosted by former MP and television presenter Gyles Brandreth. She described herself as 'Nigerian through ancestry' but clarified that 'by identity, I'm not really'. Badenoch faced criticism last year from Nigeria's vice-president, who accused her of denigrating the West African nation.
During the podcast, Badenoch spoke about her upbringing in Lagos and her familiarity with Nigeria, stating, 'I know the country very well, I have a lot of family there, and I'm very interested in what happens there. But home is where my now family is.' She elaborated on why she has not renewed her Nigerian passport, explaining, 'I don't identify with it anymore. Most of my life has been in the UK and I've just never felt the need to.'
Badenoch shared her experiences of visiting Nigeria after her father's death, noting that obtaining a visa was 'a big fandango'. She reflected on how her early experiences in Nigeria shaped her political views, contributing to her aversion to socialism. She recalled feeling out of place as a child in Nigeria, stating, 'I remember never quite feeling that I belonged there', and how returning to the UK in 1996 felt like coming home.
The Conservative leader recounted the difficult decision to return to the UK, driven by her parents' belief that 'there is no future for you in this country'. She remarked on her experiences in the UK, noting the lack of 'meaningful' racial prejudice and her defense of the UK against accusations of racism. Badenoch's comments last year about growing up amid fear and insecurity in Nigeria drew a rebuke from Nigeria's vice-president, Kashim Shettima, who expressed pride in Badenoch despite her remarks. A spokesperson for Badenoch responded to this criticism.
