Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has reignited debates about her ties to Nigeria and identity following remarks in an interview with The Spectator. Badenoch, born in the UK to Nigerian Yoruba parents, clarified that she identifies more strongly with her Yoruba ethnicity than with Nigeria as a whole.
“I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity (Yoruba). That’s what I really am. I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country… Those were our ethnic enemies,” Badenoch stated.
This comment comes amid ongoing backlash from her previous critique of Nigeria’s governance, where she described the country as “socialist and brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity.” These remarks have drawn reactions from prominent Nigerians, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Vice President Shettima criticized Badenoch’s earlier comments, suggesting that if she no longer identifies with Nigeria, she should consider changing her first name. His remarks reflected the sensitivity surrounding national identity and the expectation of loyalty from individuals with Nigerian roots.
Former Minister Femi Fani-Kayode responded directly to Badenoch’s remarks, saying, “Nigeria does not need her,” and dismissed her perspectives as divisive and unhelpful.
Badenoch’s statements highlight the complexities of identity for diaspora individuals with multi-ethnic or multi-national backgrounds. Her proud acknowledgment of her Yoruba ancestry, coupled with her disassociation from certain aspects of Nigeria, has sparked a larger discourse on ethnic and national identity, particularly for Nigerians in the diaspora.
Her comments, especially regarding the north of Nigeria, have been perceived as controversial, underscoring ethnic divisions in the country. This has reignited discussions about unity and the challenges of representing a cohesive national identity on the global stage.
