LAGOS, Nigeria — Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has criticised UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch over comments she made regarding Nigeria’s citizenship laws, accusing the British politician of spreading misinformation on international media.
Speaking during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Badenoch — who is of Nigerian descent — claimed she could not pass on her Nigerian citizenship to her children because of her gender.
“It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship,” Badenoch told Zakaria.
“I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents. I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman.”
Dabiri-Erewa forcefully rebutted the statement during a televised appearance on Hard Copy, a Channels Television programme aired on Friday, July 25, 2025, describing Badenoch’s assertion as both “false” and damaging to Nigeria’s image.
“That is not even true. And that is the problem I have,” she said.
“Don’t divulge false information. You go on international media and spew a lie. That is a lie… So why tell us something that is not true? That is the problem I have with that.”
The NiDCOM chair warned against misrepresenting Nigeria on global platforms and suggested that public figures, especially those with Nigerian heritage, should engage more responsibly when addressing sensitive national issues.
“When you denigrate your country, we’ll reply you. It’s not about me or the president or you. It’s about Nigeria. You can’t lie about your country then we keep quiet,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
She added that while Badenoch’s remarks had garnered media attention, the wider Nigerian diaspora in the UK continues to thrive and should be recognised for their contributions.
“You know the number of Nigerians we have in the UK in the political space that are doing very well. We don’t have to focus on one person,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the Commission’s commitment to defending the rights and dignity of Nigerians abroad, especially in light of various distress cases involving citizens in foreign countries.
She concluded by calling for patriotism and accuracy in diaspora engagement: “You can be critical, but let the truth be your guide. We must protect our reputation and hold ourselves to the same standard we expect from others.”
