Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has declared that she no longer considers herself Nigerian, despite her upbringing in the country. Speaking on the Rosebud podcast, Badenoch stated that while she has Nigerian ancestry and family ties, her identity is now rooted in her family and the Conservative Party.
Badenoch, who was born in London but grew up in Nigeria and the United States before returning to the UK at age 16, revealed she has not renewed her Nigerian passport in two decades. She noted that her British citizenship, automatically granted due to her birth in the UK before Margaret Thatcher abolished birthright citizenship in 1981, was a source of marvel for many of her peers.
The Tory leader reflected on her decision to move back to the UK, citing her parents' belief that there was no future for her in Nigeria due to the worsening political and economic situation. She recalled "never quite feeling that I belonged there" and described obtaining a visa to attend her father's funeral in 2022 as a "big fandango".
Badenoch has previously clashed with the Nigerian government, including a remark from Vice-President Kashim Shettima suggesting she could "remove the Kemi from her name" if not proud of her nation of origin. She has frequently spoken about corruption and insecurity in Nigeria.
Despite her mixed heritage, Badenoch stated she has not experienced significant racial prejudice in Britain and defended the UK against accusations of racism. She described feeling welcomed and treated no differently upon her arrival.
