Kemi Badenoch, the UK Business Secretary, has publicly distanced herself from her Nigerian heritage, stating that she no longer identifies as Nigerian and has not held a Nigerian passport for over two decades. Born in the United Kingdom but raised partly in Lagos, Nigeria, Badenoch shared on a podcast that she has fully severed her emotional and cultural ties with Nigeria. “Since the early 2000s, I haven’t renewed my Nigerian passport,” she explained, emphasizing that she no longer feels a connection to the country. “The majority of my life has been spent in the UK, and that’s where my identity lies.”
Badenoch reflected on her childhood in Lagos, noting that Nigeria now feels like a distant memory rather than a place she considers home. “I’m very familiar with Nigeria—I still have family there—but my home is where my immediate family is, and that’s in the UK,” she said. She further highlighted her detachment by recounting a trip to Nigeria in 2022 following her father’s death, which required her to obtain a visa. Describing the process as a “big fandango,” she underscored the bureaucratic hurdles she faced as someone no longer holding Nigerian citizenship.
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Even during her time living in Lagos, Badenoch revealed she never fully embraced a Nigerian identity. She recalled her parents’ perspective, who believed Nigeria offered little future for her, prompting their decision to prioritize her life in the UK. This outlook has shaped her current stance, where she views Nigeria as part of her past rather than her present identity.
Badenoch’s comments have sparked controversy, particularly due to her previous criticisms of Nigeria’s issues with corruption and leadership. These remarks drew a sharp rebuke from Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, who suggested she should drop her Nigerian-given name, Kemi, if she felt ashamed of her heritage. In response, Badenoch’s spokesperson defended her position, asserting that she is “not Nigeria’s PR” and remains steadfast in her views. This exchange highlights the tension between Badenoch’s personal identity and public expectations tied to her heritage, as she continues to define herself primarily as a British politician.
