Online Row Sparks Debate Over Kemi Badenoch’s Comments on Nigeria

December 12, 2024

2 minutes read

Kemi Badenoch

A heated online exchange has stirred debate in Nigeria following remarks made by Vice President Kashim Shettima and a subsequent response from an aide to Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The dispute centers on Shettima’s criticism of Badenoch’s perceived denigration of Nigeria and her identity as a Nigerian-born politician.

In a public statement, Vice President Shettima accused Badenoch of disregarding her Nigerian heritage, following comments attributed to her about not wanting to serve as Nigeria’s public relations (PR) representative. Shettima suggested that Badenoch, whose parents are Nigerian, should renounce her Nigerian identity if she continues to speak unfavorably about the country.

An aide to Badenoch responded by clarifying her position, stating that she has no interest in doing PR for Nigeria and that her focus remains on her responsibilities as a UK government official. The aide also dismissed Shettima’s remarks as unnecessary and unproductive.

The incident has ignited conversations on social media and other platforms, with Nigerians expressing mixed reactions. Some criticized Badenoch for her perceived detachment from her Nigerian roots, while others defended her right to prioritize her role in the UK without additional expectations tied to her heritage.

The controversy underscores the sensitivity of issues related to national identity and the expectations placed on diaspora figures of Nigerian origin. As the debate unfolds, it highlights the broader challenges of balancing personal identity and professional obligations in a global context.

Share:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Links

Gaza

Sharm el-Sheikh Summit: Middle East Peace Talks Advance

On October 13, 2025, over 20 global leaders met in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The Sharm ...

afcon-tickets

CAF Opens AFCON 2025 Ticket Sales

The wait is finally over! The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) has officially kicked ...

Seychelles

Seychelles Election 2025: Herminie Defeats Ramkalawan

On October 12, 2025, Patrick Herminie won the Seychelles Election 2025 presidential runoff. He secured ...

Biya

Cameroon Election 2025: Voters Turn Out as Biya Seeks Re-election

On October 12, 2025, Cameroonians flocked to polls for the Cameroon Election 2025. President Paul ...

Features

Countries Aircraft

African Countries with the Largest Military Aircraft Fleets in 2025

Africa’s military aircraft fleets are key for defense, surveillance, and peacekeeping. In 2025, several nations ...

Countries

Top 10 African Countries with Best Salaries in 2025

Africa’s job market is growing fast. In 2025, some countries offer great pay. This list ...

Kanye West

New Documentary Explores Kanye West’s Turbulent Journey

A new documentary, In Whose Name?, directed by Nico Ballesteros, offers an intimate look at ...

japa

Top 9 African Countries Sending Immigrants to the United States

Africa’s influence in the United States continues to expand through immigration. Many individuals from the ...

GOLD_3_6

Top 10 Countries Benefiting from Gold Trading in 2025

Gold trading drives wealth for nations with large reserves. In 2025, countries with significant gold ...

FNB-Stadium

Top 10 Most Expensive Stadiums in Africa for 2025

Africa’s sports infrastructure shines with world-class stadiums built for football, rugby, and major events. These ...

Gold

Top Gold-Producing Countries in Africa for 2025

Africa remains a global leader in gold production, contributing significantly to the world’s supply. In ...

digital-nomad-visa

Top 10 Digital Nomad Visa Countries for 2025

As remote work continues to thrive, digital nomad visas offer professionals the chance to live ...

Latest News

Today in History

Error: cURL error 28: Connection timed out after 5001 milliseconds

Exchange Rate Per Dollar

AM Armenian Dram382.4289
GH Ghana Cedi11.9413
GM Gambian Dalasi72
GN Guinea Franc8,671.8
NG Nigerian Naira₦1,459.31
CF CFA Franc BEAC567.3761
13 Oct · CurrencyRate · USD
CurrencyRate.Today
Check: 13 Oct 2025 15:05 UTC
Latest change: 13 Oct 2025 15:00 UTC
API: CurrencyRate
Disclaimers. This plugin or website cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. You should confirm current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.
You can install this WP plugin on your website from the WordPress official website: Exchange Rates🚀

YOUR THOUGHTS

Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make wapress.africa even better!

newsletter image

Stay up to date with the latest from West Africa Press

Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on WApress.

Subscribe Newsletter!

Be the first to receive our latest contents and more...

Need help?