The Presidency has strongly criticised British Conservative Party politician, Kemi Badenoch, over her recent remarks about Nigeria, describing her comments as offensive and uninformed. It further suggested that the UK should “send her back home for proper education.”
Badenoch, who is of Nigerian descent and currently serves as the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, had said in a recent interview that she left Nigeria because the country was governed by “terrible people,” adding that Britain must not be allowed to descend into similar governance standards.
Reacting to the statement, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Strategy, accused Badenoch of deliberately denigrating her country of origin to appeal to Britain’s far-right political base.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Bwala stated:
“She needs proper education. She should be sent back to Nigeria to understand that every country has its challenges. You don’t gain relevance by running down your roots.”
Bwala compared her remarks to the conduct of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who, despite having Indian ancestry, has never made disparaging comments about India in the course of his political career.
The Presidency dismissed any concerns that Badenoch’s comments could affect foreign investment in Nigeria, stressing that she holds no executive authority over such matters and that investors are capable of making informed decisions based on real data.
Meanwhile, Badenoch has stood by her comments, with her spokesperson insisting she “won’t apologise for telling the truth” about her experiences in Nigeria.
Her remarks have sparked mixed reactions both in the UK and Nigeria, with critics accusing her of weaponising her heritage for political advantage, while some supporters say she merely expressed a personal truth.
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