Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chair of Nigeria’s Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), recently shared that Kemi Badenoch, the newly appointed leader of the UK Conservative Party, has not responded to outreach efforts from Nigeria. Dabiri-Erewa made this remark during an interview on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief,” expressing frustration over Badenoch’s seeming disinterest in engaging with her Nigerian heritage.
“We have reached out to her once or twice without any response,” Dabiri-Erewa stated. “It depends on if she identifies with the ‘Nigerianess’ in her. We don’t force people to accept to be Nigerian.”
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Badenoch spent part of her childhood in Lagos before returning to the UK at 16. She made history recently by becoming the first Black leader of the Conservative Party, securing 57 percent of the vote to succeed Rishi Sunak after his resignation following the party’s July election defeat. While her rise has been celebrated as a milestone for diversity, her relationship with Nigeria has raised questions among both the Nigerian public and the diaspora.
Badenoch’s political journey has not been without controversy. Despite her Nigerian roots, she has faced criticism for remarks about immigrants and policies that some see as dismissive of African nations’ struggles. While some applauded her willingness to challenge left-wing policies and reduce government size, others viewed her stance as disconnected from the experiences of the communities she is seen to represent.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that Nigeria is always open to those who wish to reconnect with their heritage, referencing Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetishina, who embraces her Nigerian roots. However, she left the decision in Badenoch’s hands.
The discourse surrounding Badenoch’s identity highlights a broader question many diaspora Africans face about balancing cultural heritage with personal and political identity. For now, as Nigeria awaits a response, the nation’s officials remain hopeful that Badenoch may yet choose to embrace the “Nigerianess” she left behind.
