By Stephanie Busari
Kemi Badenoch, the first Black woman to lead the UK’s Conservative Party, recently appeared on Bari Weiss’s podcast “Honestly,” discussing her worldview on politics, governance, and her Nigerian roots.
As a journalist who has spent years reporting on Nigeria’s complexities, I found her portrayal troublingly reductive. Badenoch’s narrative, emphasizing Nigeria as a cautionary tale, risks oversimplifying a nation defined by resilience, creativity, and dynamism despite its challenges.
Throughout the interview, Badenoch framed Nigeria primarily as a warning against poor governance, economic mismanagement, and social strife. While these issues are undeniable—I have reported extensively on them, from the #EndSARS protests to the Boko Haram insurgency—they represent only part of Nigeria’s story.
A singular focus on these negatives obscures the broader reality of a nation that continues to thrive in unexpected and surprising ways.
Badenoch’s own life reflects Nigeria’s duality. Born into a “relatively wealthy family” during the oil boom, her father was a successful doctor, and her grandmother amassed wealth through trading. Yet, she swiftly shifted the conversation to Nigeria’s decline, portraying it as a failed state marred by authoritarianism, hyperinflation, and collapsing infrastructure.
While these aspects are true, her emphasis on this narrative reinforces a one-dimensional view of Nigeria.
This portrayal contrasts sharply with the Nigeria many of us know. It is a country of relentless innovation, home to booming entrepreneurial hubs, vibrant cultural movements, and a diaspora that significantly contributes to global industries.
Nigerians abroad, including Badenoch herself, often return to invest, celebrate their heritage, and build a brighter future. This annual “Detty December” homecoming injects millions into the local economy and underscores the deep connections many retain with their homeland.
Badenoch’s references to Nigeria’s challenges in identity politics and extremism similarly lacked nuance. She cited tribal and ethnic conflicts as cautionary tales but failed to acknowledge the coexistence and collaboration among Nigeria’s diverse groups.
Her mention of Boko Haram’s brutality, while accurate, painted Northern Nigeria solely as a hotbed of terror.
This overlooks the millions of Northerners who live peacefully as farmers, traders, and educators, striving for stability and growth. Such monolithic depictions echo outdated, harmful stereotypes that diminish Nigeria’s complexity.
Nigeria’s gender story also deserves a fuller telling. While Badenoch highlighted patriarchal norms, she ignored the many Nigerian women who have challenged these structures
From feminist icons such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to trailblazing entrepreneurs like and acclaimed authors, Nigerian women have carved out leadership roles and contributed to global conversations on gender equality. These achievements demonstrate the resilience and determination that characterize Nigeria’s spirit.
Globally, Nigerians excel in diverse fields. Anthony Joshua, the heavyweight boxing champion, proudly celebrates his Nigerian roots. Chiwetel Ejiofor, the acclaimed actor, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a literary titan, draw strength and inspiration from their heritage. In the tech industry,
innovators like Iyin Aboyehi and Gbenga ‘GB’ Agboola have co-founded pioneering companies such as Andela and Flutterwave, respectively. Meanwhile, Afrobeats musicians like Davido, Tiwa Savage, and Tems are among those who have propelled Nigerian music onto the world stage.
For Badenoch, being Nigerian is a limitation, however, it is a source of strength and pride for these global stars. The Nigerian diaspora’s contributions through remittances, investments, and expertise underscore their commitment to their homeland’s progress.
Badenoch’s narrative misses the entrepreneurial vigour, cultural renaissance, and grassroots reforms reshaping Nigeria. As a journalist, I’ve documented the nation’s darkest hours, the atrocities of Boko Haram, the #EndSARS protests, and governmental failures, but I’ve also witnessed the unyielding determination of Nigerians to create a better future such as Zannah Mustapha, who is educating children of Boko Haram insurgents and the orphans of their victims together at his Future Prowess School to foster lasting peace in the region.
Nigeria’s irate vice president Kashim Shettima berated Badenoch in a furious outburst telling her to “remove the Kemi from her name.”
“Rishi Sunak, the former British PM, is originally from India… he never denigrated his nation of ancestry, nor poured venom on India. KB, the leader of the British Conservative Party, we are proud of her, in spite of her efforts denigrating her nation of origin. She is entitled to her opinion. She has every right to remove the Kemi from her name…”
Shettima is right that other Conservative stalwarts such as Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak have not attacked their ancestral homelands in the same forthright manner that Badenoch has.
India like Nigeria, and indeed many modern societies, has its myriad issues. Yet Sunak and Patel did not use their time in office to denigrate India, embracing instead nuanced narratives that acknowledge both challenges and achievements.
It is my firm belief, and that of many others, that Badenoch, who is a trailblazer in UK politics, owes it to herself and her heritage to do the same. Badenoch recounts being burgled and speaking of the fear that pervaded everywhere as a young girl living in Nigeria.
I grew up in south London from age 12 and spent my formative years there. Like Kemi, our family home in Clapham was burgled and we confronted hardships too when growing up.
This has never clouded nor coloured my views on living in the UK. I moved to Nigeria in 2016 to head CNN’s bureau and have nothing but fond memories of the UK, despite the hardships. Britain is in the grip of a knife crime epidemic but this narrative does not define it as a country, neither should Nigeria’s shortcomings become the yardstick by which it is measured.
If she is elected in the UK, Badenoch’s views on Nigeria will influence not only her domestic policies but also the country’s engagement with Africa, a continent of growing economic importance. A balanced narrative can foster stronger partnerships, tap into new markets, and encourage cultural exchange.
Conversely, a skewed perspective risks perpetuating outdated stereotypes that hinder mutual understanding and progress.
Badenoch’s representation as a leader of African origin carries historic significance.
Should she rise to become the UK’s first African-origin Prime Minister, the stories she tells about Nigeria will shape perceptions and policies.
Her narrative can either celebrate the richness of a shared global heritage or reduce it to a simplistic tale of dysfunction. For a diverse Britain, this choice matters profoundly.
Ultimately, Nigeria is not merely a cautionary tale; it is a complex, evolving mosaic of triumphs and setbacks.
By acknowledging its entrepreneurial spirit, cultural dynamism, and global contributions, Badenoch can honor her heritage and inspire a broader understanding of the world.
As someone who stands at the intersection of multiple identities, Badenoch has the opportunity to portray a richer, fuller narrative that uplifts rather than diminishes, a narrative befitting her historic role and the diverse society she represents.