UK Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch Criticizes Immigration Policies, Makes Inaccurate Claim on Nigerian Citizenship

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has sparked debate after claiming she is unable to pass Nigerian citizenship to her children due to her gender, while simultaneously criticizing the UK’s immigration policies as overly permissive.

Speaking during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Sunday, July 20, Badenoch argued that many immigrants take advantage of the UK’s liberal system—conducting actions that, in her view, would not be tolerated in their countries of origin.

When asked whether she would support a Nigerian immigrant replicating Nigerian culture in the UK in what Zakaria termed a "mini-Nigeria," Badenoch firmly rejected the idea.

“That is not right. Nigerians would not tolerate that. That’s not something many countries would accept,” she said. “There are many people who come to the UK and do things that would not be acceptable in their home countries.”

To highlight what she views as a disparity between immigration rules in the UK and Nigeria, Badenoch cited a personal example: her children’s alleged ineligibility for Nigerian citizenship.

“It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship,” she said. “I inherited Nigerian citizenship through my parents, but I’m unable to pass it on to my children because of my gender.”

She contrasted this with the UK’s pathway to citizenship, which she argued is too accessible: “Loads of Nigerians come to the UK, stay for a relatively free period, and acquire British citizenship. We need to stop being naive.”

However, legal experts have pointed out that Badenoch’s assertion about Nigerian citizenship is incorrect. According to Section 25(1)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, a person born outside Nigeria is a citizen by birth if either parent is a Nigerian citizen—regardless of whether the parent is male or female. This means that her children would, in fact, be eligible for Nigerian citizenship through her.

The interview has since sparked discussions around gender rights, immigration, and the accuracy of public statements made by political leaders.