The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has criticised UK Conservative politician Kemi Badenoch of Nigerian descent over what she described as false claims regarding Nigerian women and citizenship rights.
Badenoch, speaking in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, had claimed she could not pass on her Nigerian citizenship to her children because of her gender.
While discussing immigration policies and comparing Britain with countries like Nigeria, Badenoch said:
“It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship. I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman.”
However, during an interview on Friday, Dabiri-Erewa dismissed Badenoch’s statement as misleading, clarifying that women can, in fact, confer Nigerian citizenship on their children.
“But that is not even true. And that is the problem I have. Don’t divulge false information. You go on international media and spew a lie. That is a lie. But that is not even true. And I’m sure people have responded. So my problem with that is that it is not true. So why tell us something that is not true? That is the problem I have with that,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa condemned Badenoch’s decision to air the claim publicly, saying, “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 noted that the focus should not be on Badenoch alone, as many other Nigerians are making remarkable strides abroad.
“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.
She praised Nigerians who are making positive contributions abroad.
While admitting there are numerous distress cases involving Nigerians overseas, Dabiri-Erewa stressed that the commission remains committed to safeguarding their interests and celebrating their achievements.
According to her, diaspora engagement should always be anchored on truth, responsibility, and a strong sense of patriotism.