UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claims Nigeria’s constitution prevents women from passing citizenship to their children. She stated this during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, while differentiating British and Nigerian immigration laws.
To emphasize her argument, Badenoch cited the fact that her children are unable to obtain Nigerian citizenship through her. According to her, she is a Nigerian citizen through her parents, but can’t pass it through because of her gender.
Speaking on Sunday, Badenoch highlighted that immigrants often manipulate UK systems, making the country vulnerable to threats. She continued that there are people who come to the UK and do things that wouldn’t be acceptable in their own countries.
Badenoch vowed in her statement not to permit a Nigerian immigrant to create a mini Nigeria in the United Kingdom. According to her, “that is not something many countries would accept,” citing Nigeria as an example.
She urged the United Kingdom to stop being naive, claiming that Nigerians acquire British citizenship after residing there for a limited time. Badenoch made it clear that it would be hard for UK non-natives to get British citizenship during her leadership.
However, Badenoch’s claims contradict the Nigerian constitution, which confers citizenship to children born abroad with a Nigerian parent. Section 25(1)(C) states that anyone born abroad is Nigerian if either of the parents holds Nigerian citizenship.
Read also: UK to begin digital eVisas for Nigerian study, work applicants from July 15
Historical Background
Kemi Badenoch, born in the UK in 1980 to Yoruba Nigerian parents, spent her childhood in Nigeria before returning at age 16. The UK conservative leader has three children with her husband, who is a Scottish banker, Hamish Badenoch.
She previously worked in the cabinet for prime ministers in the UK from 2022 to 2024 before becoming the conservative leader.
