Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has alleged that leader of the Conservative Party in United Kingdom (UK), Kemi Badenoch, who is originally from Nigeria, has rebuffed attempts by the Nigerian government to reach her.
Dabiri-Erewa in a television interview monitored by Diaspora Digital Media said Nigeria would not compel Badenoch to embrace her Nigerian roots if she chooses not to.
She highlighted NiDCOM’s openness to engaging with Nigerians abroad who value their heritage.
“It depends on whether she embraces her Nigerian identity. We reached out to her once or twice, but there was no response. We don’t force anyone to acknowledge being Nigerian,” Dabiri-Erewa explained.
The former lawmaker highlighted NiDCOM’s openness to engaging Nigerians abroad who value their heritage, citing the example of a former Miss Universe Nigeria who connected with Nigeria only after facing challenges in South Africa.
“She then identified with Nigeria, came to Nigeria, and we hosted her. If the Nigerian blood is in you, you’re always a Nigerian,” she added.
Badenoch, born in London in 1980, spent part of her childhood in Lagos and the United States, where her mother was a lecturer.
The NiDCOM chief further stated that the choice to identify with Nigeria ultimately rests with Badenoch, who must decide if she values her Nigerian heritage.
“We are open to working with anyone who sees themselves as Nigerian, but it’s not something we can force,” Dabiri-Erewa concluded.
More about Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch is the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Conservative Party, a position she has held since November 2024.
Born on January 2, 1980, in Wimbledon, London, Badenoch spent her early childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, and later moved to the United States with her mother, a professor of physiology.
She returned to the UK at 16 and went on to study Computer Systems Engineering at the University of Sussex, graduating with a Master of Engineering degree in 2003.
Badenoch’s political career began when she joined the Conservative Party in 2005.
She contested the Dulwich and West Norwood constituency in the 2010 general election and later became a member of the London Assembly in 2015.
In 2017, she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden, a position she held until 2024 when she became the MP for North West Essex.
Badenoch has held various roles, including Secretary of State for Business and Trade, President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities.
She became the first black person to hold the offices of Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party after defeating Robert Jenrick in the 2024 leadership election.
