Kemi Badenoch says Nigerian law bars her from passing citizenship to her children

Kemi Badenoch, a senior figure in the UK's Conservative Party, has sparked debate after claiming she is unable to pass her Nigerian citizenship to her children—an outcome she attributes to gender-based restrictions in Nigerian nationality laws.

In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, Badenoch contrasted the rigidity of Nigeria's citizenship framework with that of the UK, noting, "It's easier for Nigerians to obtain British citizenship than for foreigners to become Nigerian citizens."

Born in the UK to Yoruba parents, Kemi Badenoch spent much of her childhood and early education in Lagos, Nigeria. She later returned to the UK, where she married Scottish banker Hamish Badenoch and took his surname. The couple shares three children.

Badenoch has received backlash and has been accused of intentionally misleading the public in efforts to gain political points. "If her parents hadn't left Nigeria, she wouldn't be where she is today. Yet she trashes Nigeria to get applause from racists," one user posted on X

According to Nigerian constitution, Section 25 (1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, a person born outside Nigeria is a Nigerian citizen if either of their parents is a Nigerian citizen, regardless of gender.