The Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has criticised UK Conservative politician Kemi Badenoch for allegedly making misleading claims about Nigerian citizenship laws during a recent international interview.
Badenoch, a British cabinet minister of Nigerian descent, had told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that she cannot pass Nigerian citizenship to her children because of her gender. She made the statement while comparing immigration policies between the UK and countries like Nigeria.
“It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship. I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman,” Badenoch said in the widely circulated interview.
However, Dabiri-Erewa refuted the claim during an appearance on Hard Copy, a Channels Television programme aired Friday, calling the statement “false and damaging.”
“That is simply not true. And that’s the problem I have with such statements — spreading misinformation on an international platform,” she said. “You can’t go on global media and make false claims about your country. When you denigrate your country, we will respond. This isn’t about you, me, or the president — it’s about Nigeria.”
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that under Nigerian law, citizenship can indeed be conferred by either parent, regardless of gender.
She further criticised the tone and timing of Badenoch’s remarks, urging Nigerian leaders and professionals abroad to speak truthfully and responsibly when representing the country on global platforms.
“We have so many Nigerians in the UK political space doing exceptionally well. We don’t have to focus on one person,” she said.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges faced by Nigerians abroad, including legal and immigration issues, Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to supporting Nigerians in the diaspora and celebrating their positive contributions.
She concluded by emphasizing that diaspora engagement should be rooted in truth, patriotism, and a shared commitment to Nigeria’s image and progress.
