Tinubu’s Aide Blasts Kemi Badenoch Over False Nigerian Citizenship Claims

UK Minister and Conservative Party figure Kemi Badenoch has ignited backlash following her controversial remarks about Nigerian citizenship.

During a recent CNN interview, Badenoch claimed that her children could not obtain Nigerian citizenship because she is a woman.

Her comment quickly stirred reactions, especially from Nigerians who understand their constitutional rights.

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

However, many Nigerians disagreed, pointing to the Nigerian Constitution as proof that she was wrong.

President Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, wasted no time in addressing her claims.

On his verified X account, he accused Badenoch of deliberately spreading misinformation about Nigeria.

“@KemiBadenoch, why do you lie against your own country?” Olusegun asked. “Why are you so desperate to discredit Nigeria before the world?”

He backed up his response with the law. According to Section 25(1)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, any child born outside Nigeria qualifies for citizenship by birth if either parent is a Nigerian citizen.

Olusegun emphasized, “Even if the father is a foreigner, your children still qualify. There’s no need for registration or naturalisation. This is your own Constitution.”

Many Nigerians supported his position. Legal experts clarified that Nigerian law does not prevent women from passing on citizenship to their children.

In fact, it allows either parent to do so regardless of gender.

However, the law only becomes gender-specific when it comes to foreign spouses.

Under Section 26(2), a foreign woman married to a Nigerian man can apply for citizenship by registration.

The reverse is not true for foreign men married to Nigerian women.

Badenoch, born in the UK to Nigerian parents, grew up partly in Lagos before moving back to the UK as a teenager.

She is married to a Scottish man and has three children.

Olusegun urged public figures like Badenoch to speak with caution. “Don’t use your platform to damage Nigeria’s global image,” he said.

Many Nigerians online echoed that message, demanding more accuracy from politicians who represent their heritage abroad.

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