Vice President Kashim Shettima has accused Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, of disparaging Nigeria, her country of origin.
Shettima made the remarks on Monday during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja.
Shettima said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her despite her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.
He added, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even 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.
Highlighting Nigeria’s global significance, Shettima noted, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian, and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States and will be the third most populous nation on earth.”
He also emphasised the crucial role of migrants in shaping societies and driving economic growth, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting migrant rights and acknowledging their contributions to national development.
In 2022, Badenoch, a British MP of Nigerian descent, accused Nigerian politicians of mismanaging public funds. Following her election as Conservative Party leader in November 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) attempted to contact her office but received no response, according to NIDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
