According to a report by Punch Newspaper on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, United Kingdom Conservative minister, Kemi Badenoch, has once again stated that she does not identify as Nigerian, despite being born to Nigerian parents and spending part of her childhood in the country.
Her comments have sparked conversations across various communities, particularly among Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
Badenoch made the statement during an interview with GB News, where she addressed questions regarding her identity and political views.
She stressed that her primary identity is British and that she no longer associates herself with Nigeria in that regard.
According to her, this clarity is important to her personal and political stance.
The minister explained that although she has Nigerian heritage, it does not define how she sees herself today.
She noted that people often misunderstand or misrepresent her position, especially media outlets that tend to place emphasis on her roots rather than her current reality.
She made it clear that her connection to Nigeria is now limited to ancestry alone.
Kemi Badenoch, who currently serves as the Business and Trade Secretary, also used the opportunity to encourage politicians and the media to focus more on domestic affairs.
She emphasized the importance of discussing the real issues affecting the United Kingdom, rather than getting distracted by background stories that have little impact on governance or public service.
Her remarks have drawn mixed reactions online, while some people have expressed support for her right to choose how she identifies, others feel her comments could be seen as distancing herself from a country that once shaped her.
However, Badenoch stood firm, stating that identity is a personal matter and should not be used for political or public expectation.
Kemi Badenoch was born in the United Kingdom but spent part of her early years in Nigeria. She later returned to the UK for her education and eventually entered politics.
Over the years, she has risen through the ranks of the Conservative Party, becoming one of the most prominent Black women in British politics today.
Her background has often been mentioned in discussions about representation, diversity, and immigration.
Despite the reactions her statement has generated, Badenoch maintained her position, insisting that being British is how she chooses to define herself.
She believes that everyone has the right to determine their own identity without pressure from society or cultural expectations.
For her, the focus remains on serving the British people and playing her role as a public servant in the country she considers home.
Badenoch said, “Well, I think that the BBC certainly wrote that headline. It wasn’t quite what I said, but it is true. My main identity is as British. That is what I see myself as.
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