Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for her remarks about Nigeria, urging her to drop the “Kemi” from her name if she is not proud of her heritage.
“She has every right to remove the Kemi from her name if she’s not proud of being Nigerian,” Shettima said during a speech in Abuja. He added, “The greatest Black nation on earth is Nigeria, and denigrating it reflects poorly on her heritage.”
Badenoch, born to Nigerian parents in London, has previously spoken about her challenging childhood in Lagos. She described Nigeria as a place where “fear was everywhere,” citing insecurity, corruption, and military dictatorship. Her comments were reported by *The Telegraph* and have sparked a heated debate.
In her defense, Badenoch’s spokesperson said, “She tells the truth and stands by her words. She is not a public relations agent for Nigeria.”
The UK politician recalled her experiences in Nigeria, where she witnessed economic hardship, poverty, and government failures. “I saw what socialism means for millions—poverty and broken dreams,” she said during a recent speech.
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Badenoch’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Shettima, who compared her stance to that of Rishi Sunak, the former UK prime minister of Indian descent. “Rishi Sunak never denigrated his ancestral homeland of India,” Shettima said.
Badenoch, however, remains firm. “I grew up in a place where fear was everywhere. Triple-checking doors, hearing neighbors scream during burglaries—it was constant,” she said, adding that her experiences shaped her commitment to honesty and leadership.
Born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke in Wimbledon, Badenoch’s family returned to Nigeria during her childhood. She moved back to the UK at 16 to pursue her education, later becoming an influential figure in British politics.
The controversy highlights a broader conversation about identity and the responsibilities of public figures toward their countries of origin. For Nigerians, Shettima’s comments resonate as a call to embrace the nation’s strengths, even in the face of criticism.
