The Kemi Badenoch Nigerian identity discussion has reignited after the Conservative Party leader revealed she no longer identifies with Nigeria. Born in Britain but raised partly in Lagos, Badenoch said she hasn’t renewed her Nigerian passport since the early 2000s.
Speaking on Gyles Brandreth’s Rosebud podcast, Badenoch described herself as “Nigerian through ancestry” but stressed “by identity, I’m not really.” Her comments come a year after Nigeria’s vice-president accused her of “denigrating” her family’s homeland.
Badenoch explained how her childhood experiences influenced her worldview. She recalled “never quite feeling I belonged” during her time in Nigeria. When her parents sent her back to England at 16, she immediately felt at home.
“The reason was very sad,” she said. “My parents thought: ‘There’s no future for you here.'” These experiences, she said, contributed to her rejection of socialist policies. Nigeria’s economic struggles and corruption during her youth left lasting impressions.
The Tory leader revealed she let her Nigerian passport expire decades ago. “I don’t identify with it anymore,” she stated. When attending her father’s funeral in Nigeria, she needed a visa – an experience she called “a big fandango.”
Despite maintaining family ties, Badenoch emphasized her British identity. “Most of my life has been in the UK,” she noted. “Home is where my now family is.” Her remarks follow 2023 criticism from Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima about her negative comments regarding Nigeria’s governance.
Badenoch also addressed her positive experiences in Britain. Contrary to expectations, she said she encountered little racial prejudice after moving back. “People didn’t treat me differently,” she recalled, adding this shapes her defense of the UK against systemic racism accusations.
The Kemi Badenoch Nigerian identity discussion highlights complex questions of belonging. While acknowledging her heritage, the Conservative leader firmly roots her identity in Britain. As she rises in UK politics, her multicultural background continues to inform her perspectives on nationality and governance.
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