Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has publicly condemned Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, for making derogatory comments about Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Akinyemi expressed his dismay at Badenoch’s portrayal of her upbringing in Nigeria and her continued negative statements about the country.
“How can the daughter of a professor from UNILAG — her father was a medical doctor — a girl who attended the international school at UNILAG, make it sound like she was selling groundnuts and water in Lagos to advance her political career?”
Akinyemi questioned, criticizing her portrayal of hardship in Nigeria.
Badenoch, who was born in Nigeria but moved to the UK at the age of 16, has faced significant backlash for describing her homeland in harsh terms.
She has referred to Nigeria as a corrupt, insecure, and socialist nation and spoken of her childhood in Lagos as one marked by poverty and personal struggles. She even claimed that Nigeria “destroys lives,” using her experiences to warn against similar governance in the UK.
Akinyemi, however, dismissed this narrative, calling it a betrayal of her roots.
“She would soon learn that you don’t throw your people and your culture under the bus in order to advance your career,” he said, warning Badenoch that her comments were misguided and would likely backfire.
He also advised her to focus on improving the reputation of the Conservative Party rather than using Nigeria as a political tool. “She is making a mistake, but she will soon learn,” Akinyemi added.
These comments come amid growing backlash against Badenoch in Nigeria, with many accusing her of denigrating her birthplace to gain favor within her party and align with certain political narratives. Akinyemi’s remarks underscore the tension between Badenoch’s ambition and her heritage, suggesting that she is misrepresenting her past for political gain.