Kemi Badenoch, Citizenship and the Facts: A Clarification Worth Making

21st July 2025

In her recent appearance on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party and a proud British-Nigerian, made a remark that has sparked conversation across both political and cultural spaces.

Speaking about immigration and citizenship, she said:

“It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship. I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman.”

While likely made in passing, the statement has raised concern within the Nigerian diaspora, because it is not in line with the actual provisions of Nigerian law. As many observers have since noted, it is factually incorrect to suggest that Nigerian women are unable to pass citizenship to their children.

The Nigerian Constitution — specifically Section 25(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution — is clear: any person born outside Nigeria is a citizen by birth if either of their parents or grandparents is a Nigerian citizen. The law does not make a distinction based on gender. This means that a Nigerian woman, whether residing in Nigeria or abroad, has the same constitutional right as a Nigerian man to pass on citizenship to her children.

A senior Nigerian diplomat confirmed this again, stating that the right exists and is protected by law, provided certain administrative steps are followed.

It is, of course, understandable that personal experiences with paperwork or bureaucracy might shape our perceptions. Many Nigerians in the diaspora have faced frustrating delays and unclear processes when trying to register births or apply for passports and national identity cards. But those difficulties should not be confused with the law itself, which in this case offers a gender-neutral guarantee.

Kemi Badenoch’s rise in British politics is a source of pride for many in the African and Caribbean communities. Her journey — from Lagosthrough her parents to the House of Commons, and now to the leadership of the Conservative Party, is nothing short of remarkable. She stands as proof that black Britons, and indeed Nigerians, can lead at the highest levels of public life.

Because of that prominence, her words carry significant weight. When she speaks about Nigeria or Nigerian law, especially on an international platform like CNN, her comments help shape how others perceive the country. In this instance, the claim may unintentionally reinforce outdated narratives that cast African legal systems as inherently unequal or regressive, when in fact, Nigeria’s Constitution in this regard aligns with international standards on citizenship and gender equality.

This is not a call for criticism, but for clarity. It is important to correct inaccuracies not to attack, but to inform and elevate the conversation. In truth, this is an opportunity and a chance to re-engage with the idea of what it means to be Nigerian in the diaspora, and how that identity continues to evolve.

Rather than judging harshly, we hope this moment will serve as an invitation to all public figures of African heritage, including Kemi Badenoch herself to engage more deeply with the complexities of our home countries. Nigeria, like all nations, has its imperfections, but it also has a legal and constitutional framework that defends citizenship rights for women and men equally. That is something worth knowing and sharing with confidence.

Kemi Badenoch has demonstrated that she can carry the weight of leadership and navigate tough policy debates. In doing so, we hope she will also continue to speak of her Nigerian heritage in a way that is rooted in both truth and pride. Her voice matters not only in Westminster but in homes and communities across the diaspora.

As we all seek to make sense of who we are; British, Nigerian, or both let’s strive for accuracy, mutual respect, and constructive engagement. That is how we build bridges between nations, generations, and identities.

BEN Television remains committed to celebrating the achievements of our diaspora, holding space for honest dialogue, and standing firm on the facts that matter.

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