Kemi Badenoch, a British Conservative leader of Nigerian descent, has faced criticism from former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi. The former minister expressed disappointment over her remarks about Nigeria, which he believes were made to boost her political career in the UK.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, Akinyemi emphasized that it’s a mistake for Kemi to speak negatively about her roots. According to him, she will soon realize that undermining her heritage and culture for personal ambition is not the right path.

Akinyemi questioned why someone with Kemi’s privileged upbringing would portray her Nigerian background as a struggle. He reminded audiences that Kemi’s parents were well-educated professionals—her father was a medical doctor, and her mother a professor at the University of Lagos. He criticized her for painting a false narrative about selling groundnuts and water in Lagos to advance her political image.

The former minister advised Kemi to focus on strengthening Britain’s Conservative Party instead of tarnishing Nigeria’s reputation. He also pointed out the growing influence of a right-wing political group in the UK, suggesting she direct her energy toward addressing such challenges within her party.

This isn’t the first time Kemi Badenoch’s comments about Nigeria have sparked backlash. In December 2024, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima criticized her for disparaging Nigeria and even suggested she should remove “Kemi” from her name if she couldn’t respect her heritage. Similarly, Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, accused Kemi of making such remarks to gain favor within her party.

In 2022, Kemi had also accused Nigerian politicians of using public funds for private matters, further fueling criticism. While her comments might appeal to some within the UK, many Nigerians see her actions as a betrayal of her roots.

Prof. Akinyemi concluded by reiterating that Kemi should leave Nigeria out of her political ambitions and concentrate on her role in Britain.