6 Kemi Badenoch remarks that riled up Nigerians

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has relentlessly cast a shadow over her Nigerian heritage since her ascension to national politics in the United Kingdom. Born to Nigerian parents Femi and Feyi Adegoke in Wimbledon, London, on January 2, 1980, Badenoch moved to Nigeria at an early age before returning to her country of birth at the age of 16. She’s the eldest of three children, with a sister named Lola and a brother named Fola. Though public records suggest that she grew up in an upper-middle-class home in the 80s-90s Nigeria, the British politician has stoutly clung to the narrative of having a poor background. This is the trope she has repeatedly explored in her political utterances, portraying her upbringing as a grim tale of poverty, disintegrating infrastructure, moral decadence, police brutality, failed leadership, and corruption in the West African country. Her controversial remarks have not gone unnoticed in her country of origin, causing a firestorm on social media and even traditional media outlets. Her views have also polarised opinions among Nigerians and triggered reactions from elected politicians and government officials. Many critics have interpreted her unprovoked negative portrayal of Nigeria as a ploy to win the hearts of the British public to achieve her dream of winning the Prime Minister seat. ALSO READ: Nigerian man inspired by Kemi Badenoch joins California governorship race Though Badenoch may have a few supporters among Nigerians, her constant denigration of the country has riled many people who have not hesitated to criticise her. Below are some of the Conservative Party leaders’ remarks that have provoked angry reactions from Nigerians. Nigeria destroys lives In her maiden speech of 2025, delivered at an event hosted by Onward, a British think tank focused on economic and social research, the British politicians didn’t miss the chance to continue her anti-Nigeria rhetoric. Speaking on the impact of misgovernance, Badenoch drew a comparison between the UK and her country of origin. She highlighted the importance of building trust and positioning the Conservative Party as the solution to Britain’s challenges. She warned that the British system risks faltering and likened it to Nigeria’s governance issues. Highlighting the importance of building trust and positioning the Conservative Party as the solution to Britain’s challenges, Badenoch warned that the British system risks faltering, likening it to Nigeria’s governance issues. “And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told a packed audience. “I don’t want Britain to lose what it has. “I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation. “I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life. So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.” Nigerian police stole my brother’s shoes The UK opposition leader hasn’t spared the Nigeria Police in her utterances, recalling some of her unpleasant encounters with the men in uniform growing up in the country. During an interview with The Free Press last December, she was asked whether she trusted the British police. Rather than limiting her answer to the scope of the question, Badenoch seized the opportunity to lampoon the Nigeria police. “Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive. The police in Nigeria will rob us. When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch. It’s a very poor country, so people do all sorts of things,” she replied. The comment drew an instant reaction from an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Zyad Ibn Isah, who reminded her what the London Metropolitan Police used to be before certain reforms were implemented to get them to their current level. The police officer noted that though the NPF was far from perfect, reforms such as the ones introduced in Britain could bring them to the top level. “I would recommend David Rose’s “In the Name of the Law” to Kemi Badenoch. The truth is the London Metropolitan Police was a mess in the 1960s, 1970s, and even the 1980s. It was through various reforms and even a change of name that they became what they are today. “If the questioner had asked a British citizen in the 1960s or 1970s whether they trusted the British police, I doubt they would have said yes. The situation was that bad,” Isah told Badenoch. Controversial immigration proposal When she doesn’t directly mention Nigeria, the Conservative leader still finds a way to rile up people from her country of origin. Badenoch recently sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media, who form a significant portion of the UK’s migrant community. This was after the British politician outlined her plan to reform the UK immigration system, which included radical changes such as extending the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years. Her proposal also stated that immigrants must wait five years after obtaining ILR before applying for British citizenship, increasing the total process to at least 15 years. She also suggests stricter eligibility restrictions, including a permanent ban on settling in the UK for individuals with criminal records, those dependent on social housing, or those claiming benefits. Furthermore, she wants anyone who enters the country illegally or overstays their visa banned from ever obtaining leave to remain or British citizenship. Critics have argued that the proposal was excessive and unfair to hard-working immigrants seeking stability.