Vice President Kashim Shettima, criticized Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, for comments perceived as disparaging Nigeria, her country of origin.
Speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Shettima said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party.
We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.”
He added, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has every right to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria.”
Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s global significance, stating, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian, and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States and become the third most populous nation on earth.”
The Vice President also underscored the essential role of migrants in shaping societies and contributing to economic development, reaffirming the Nigerian government’s commitment to protecting migrant rights and celebrating their contributions.
Kemi Badenoch, a UK Member of Parliament of Nigerian descent, previously accused Nigerian politicians of misappropriating public funds in 2022.
Following her election as the UK Conservative Party leader in November 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) attempted to reach out to her office but received no response, according to NIDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
