Badenoch defends criticism of Nigeria amid Shettima’s rebuke

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has reaffirmed her critical remarks about Nigeria following Vice President Kashim Shettima’s strong reaction to her statements.

Badenoch, who described her Nigerian upbringing as fraught with fear and plagued by systemic corruption, insisted she stands by her comments, emphasizing that her observations were drawn from lived experiences.

Her statements have sparked intense debate about the image of Nigeria abroad and the responsibilities of diasporan leaders in addressing national issues.

Badenoch, born in 1980 to Nigerian Yoruba parents, spent part of her childhood in Nigeria before returning to the UK. During her political rise, she often highlighted her experiences in Nigeria to contrast governance standards between the two countries.

“I grew up in a place where fear was pervasive,” Badenoch once said, recounting a childhood of “triple-checking locked doors, waking at every sound, and hearing neighbors scream during burglaries.”

She criticized Nigerian politicians for treating public funds as “private piggy banks” and lamented the widespread poverty and broken dreams she witnessed.

READ ALSO: We reached out to Kemi Badenoch, but she snubbed us – NIDCOM boos, Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Badenoch also described Nigeria as a socialist state characterized by political corruption and insecurity. She stated, “I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest endeavor can take you anywhere.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima, addressing Badenoch’s comments earlier this week, accused her of denigrating Nigeria.

He challenged her to reflect pride in her heritage, saying, “If she is not proud of her nation of origin, she should remove the ‘Kemi’ from her name.”

Shettima’s remarks underscored the Nigerian government’s frustration with perceived disparagement by high-profile figures of Nigerian descent abroad.

In response, Badenoch, through a spokesperson, rejected Shettima’s critique, stating she would not engage in public relations for Nigeria.

Advertisement

“She tells the truth as it is. She’s not interested in sugarcoating realities or couching her words,” the spokesperson remarked.

Badenoch asserted her pride in her current role as leader of the opposition in the UK, emphasizing that her comments were not intended to malign Nigeria but to reflect on governance failures that shaped her worldview.

Dr. Femi Adesina, a political analyst, noted that Badenoch’s criticisms reflect real governance challenges but questioned whether such comments are constructive coming from a figure of her stature.

“While her observations resonate with many Nigerians, there is a fine line between critique and denunciation. Leaders in the diaspora should focus on inspiring change, not perpetuating negative stereotypes,” Adesina said.

On the other hand, Prof. Caroline Andrews, a UK-based governance expert, defended Badenoch’s right to share her experiences.

“Her journey from Nigeria to the UK reflects broader issues about governance and opportunity. Highlighting these differences is not about shaming Nigeria but encouraging conversations on improvement,” she stated.