By Segun Martins-
A storm of criticism has erupted in Nigeria following UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s assertion that she cannot pass Nigerian citizenship to her children “because I’m a woman.” Critics—including a spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, top lawyers, and diaspora officials—argue that her remarks reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of Nigeria’s legal framework and may carry political undertones.
President Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, directly challenged Badenoch’s claims, calling on the British government to “send our lost daughter … home for proper re-education.” Onanuga emphasized that Badenoch misrepresented Nigerian law and owed her “fatherland” an apology. He cited Section 25(1)(c) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which clearly provides that a person born outside Nigeria is a citizen if either parent is Nigerian—regardless of gender—calling her framing both legally incorrect and personally insulting.
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Prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) was among the strongest critics, describing her comments as “utter ignorance” of the law. Falana referenced both Section 25 and Section 42(2) of the Constitution, noting that gender or circumstances of birth do not restrict a Nigerian’s right to confer citizenship. He explained that Badenoch’s children are already Nigerian citizens and could, if they choose, renounce their citizenship later under Section 29 of the Constitution.
Falana also acknowledged that certain aspects of Nigeria’s citizenship law “require urgent amendment,” highlighting a gendered inconsistency: foreign women married to Nigerian men can register for citizenship, while foreign men married to Nigerian women cannot.
Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), similarly rejected Badenoch’s claim as “misleading” on Channels Television, defending the constitutional right for maternal transmission of citizenship. She stressed that public figures must avoid “denigrating” Nigeria and cautioned against using heritage selectively for political purposes abroad.
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Former presidential adviser Reuben Abati added that Badenoch’s statements appear hypocritical, noting that she publicly criticizes Nigeria while simultaneously attempting to retain her children’s rights to Nigerian citizenship.
Badenoch’s Identity, Nigerian Roots, and Political Career
Although born in the Uk, Badenoch spent part of her early childhood in Lagos until the age of 16
before relocating to the United Kingdom with her family. She has explained that her comment about being unable to pass citizenship to her children was intended to highlight what she perceives as gendered legal and bureaucratic obstacles in Nigeria.
Her statement, she suggested, reflects the challenges women face in passing nationality to their children abroad, a point she framed as a broader commentary on structural inequalities, rather than an outright legal denial of rights.
Critics, however, argue that her point misrepresents Nigerian law, which explicitly allows maternal transmission of citizenship. Observers contend that her citizenship comments form part of a broader pattern of selectively engaging with her Nigerian heritage while pursuing her political ambitions in the UK.
Badenoch has been a Member of Parliament since 2017 and became a prominent figure in UK politics as a minister and Conservative leadership contender. She has been considered a rising star in her party, though current polls show mixed support in comparison to other leadership hopefuls. While her public profile continues to grow, the controversy over her Nigerian citizenship remarks may affect both her international image and domestic political perception.
The controversy highlights several critical issues, like legal literacy as even high-profile figures can misunderstand Nigeria’s citizenship laws, Gender and citizenship: While maternal transmission of nationality remains sensitive globally, Nigerian law explicitly supports it.
Diaspora identity politics.
Badenoch’s statements raise questions about how foreign-born Nigerians like Badenoch blends or trades her heritage for political ambitions, and National reputation. Some see her framing of Nigeria as part of a trend in which diaspora leaders distance themselves from their homeland while wielding heritage for influence in politics
Civil society groups are calling for a more nuanced discussion, emphasizing accurate legal explanations over oversimplified soundbites. Legal experts urge informed dialogue to respect both Nigeria’s citizenship laws and the broader identities of its diaspora.
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