UK Conservative Party
politician Kemi Badenoch has said she no longer sees herself as Nigerian and
has not renewed her Nigerian passport since the early 2000s.
During an interview on
the Rosebud podcast hosted by former MP
Gyles Brandreth, Badenoch, who was born in the United Kingdom and spent part of
her early life in Nigeria and the United States, spoke about her views on
identity, nationality, and her upbringing.
She noted that although
her background is Nigerian through her parents, she no longer identifies with
the country. "I’m Nigerian through ancestry, by birth, despite not being
born there because of my parents, but by identity I’m not really," she
said.
Badenoch returned to
the UK at age 16 to further her education. She said political and economic
difficulties in Nigeria influenced that decision. Despite her family ties and
personal interest in the country, she said, “Home is where my now family is.”
Reflecting on a visit
to Nigeria after her father’s passing, Badenoch mentioned needing a visa to
travel and described the process as difficult. She added, “I don’t identify
with it any more. Most of my life has been in the UK and I’ve just never felt
the need to renew my passport.”
She said her early
years in Nigeria played a role in shaping her political opinions, including her
opposition to socialism. “My early life in Nigeria shaped a lot of what I
believe. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t like socialism,” she said.
Badenoch also spoke
about feeling out of place as a child in Nigeria. “I remember never quite
feeling that I belonged there. Coming back to the UK in 1996, I thought, this
is home.”
Her past remarks about life in Nigeria, including
references to fear, insecurity, and corruption, drew criticism from some
Nigerian officials. Vice President Kashim Shettima responded by saying his
government remained proud of her, even though she had spoken critically about
the country. A spokesperson for Badenoch later responded to the criticism.
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