Vice President Kashim Shettima has addressed remarks made by Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s new Conservative Party leader, about Nigeria, expressing both pride in her achievements and disappointment in her comments. Speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue in Abuja, Shettima stated, “Kemi Badenoch… is entitled to her opinions, even her right to remove ‘Kemi’ from her name, but Nigeria remains the greatest Black nation on earth.”
Badenoch, born in Wimbledon but raised partly in Nigeria, described her childhood there as difficult and criticized Nigeria’s governance, stating her commitment to Britain’s progress.
Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s global significance, emphasizing its population growth and contributions of migrants worldwide. He reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s dedication to migrants’ rights and their positive impacts on society.
The discourse reflects a complex interplay of identity, migration, and national pride, sparking discussions on diasporic connections to Nigeria.
