Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticized Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, for making disparaging remarks about Nigeria, her country of origin. Speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja, Shettima expressed pride in Badenoch’s achievements but condemned her negative comments about Nigeria.
Shettima stated, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.” He added, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the ‘Kemi’ from her name but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s significance, Shettima noted, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States, and will be the third most populous nation on earth.”
In 2022, Badenoch accused Nigerian politicians of misusing public funds for personal purposes. Following her election as Conservative Party leader in November 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) attempted to contact her but received no response.
Shettima’s remarks underscore the importance of acknowledging and respecting one’s heritage, especially when occupying significant positions on the global stage.
