British Member of Parliament and Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, has stirred controversy after firmly distancing herself from her Nigerian roots in a recent interview, declaring, “I’m British.”
Badenoch, who was born in Wimbledon, London, to Nigerian parents and spent part of her childhood in Lagos, made the statement during a televised discussion on national identity and immigration. When asked about her Nigerian heritage and how it influences her political stance, she replied: “I’m British. I wasn’t born in Nigeria, I don’t hold a Nigerian passport, and I don’t identify as Nigerian.”
The remark has sparked widespread reaction across social media, particularly among Nigerians and members of the African diaspora in the UK, many of whom once saw Badenoch as a representative of Black British excellence with African roots.
Critics accused the Conservative MP of erasing her heritage for political convenience. Others, however, defended her right to define her identity on her own terms, pointing to the complexities of multiculturalism in British society.
Badenoch, known for her right-leaning views on race, diversity, and immigration, has previously drawn criticism from progressives for her opposition to critical race theory and diversity quotas. Her latest comments appear consistent with her long-standing position that national identity should not be hyphenated or diluted.
In Nigeria, reactions were mixed. Some commentators expressed disappointment, recalling that Badenoch had previously referenced her time living in Lagos as formative. Others shrugged off the controversy, arguing that her allegiance to Britain was expected given her political standing.
This development comes amid increasing scrutiny of politicians with immigrant backgrounds and how they navigate questions of race, loyalty, and national belonging in an increasingly polarized Britain.
