UK’s Badenoch: “We Can’t Force Anyone To Identify With Nigeria” – Dabiri-Erewa

Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says the Commission will not coerce people abroad to identify themselves as Nigerians.

Dabiri-Erewa, who spoke regarding the newly elected United Kingdom’s Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, a Nigerian-Briton, said the country cannot force Badenoch to acknowledge her Nigerian heritage.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show, ‘The Morning Brief’, Dabiri-Erewa said if the Conservative Party leader chooses to ignore her root, Nigeria is not in any position to compel or make her do otherwise.

Expressing frustration at failed attempts to officially contact Badenoch, the NiDCOM boss said moves from her office in that direction have so far not yielded positive results.

However, she said having made the initial contact, the Commission is awaiting an official response from Badenoch, adding; “It depends on whether she embraces her Nigerian identity. We reached out to her once or twice, but there was no response. We don’t force anyone to acknowledge being Nigerian”.

Dabiri-Erewa said the Commission is always open to engaging Nigerians abroad who value their heritage, sharing an example of a former Miss Universe Nigeria, who only connected with her Nigerian roots after experiencing challenges in South Africa.

According to her; “She (the former Miss Universe Nigeria) then identified with Nigeria, came to Nigeria, and we hosted her. If the Nigerian blood is in you, you’re always a Nigerian”.

The NiDCOM Chairman maintained that the decision to embrace her Nigerian identity solely lies with Badenoch, adding; “We are open to working with anyone who sees himself/herself as Nigerian, but it is not something we can force”.

Born in London to a Nigerian father in 1980, Kemi Badenoch’s early childhood was spent in Lagos, Nigeria and the United States, where her mother was a lecturer.

However, despite her Nigerian heritage being well-known and documented, many commentators argue that identifying with the country is ultimately a personal choice for Badenoch to make.