
Kemi Badenoch
You Lied on Nigerian Citizenship Law for Women, FG Replies Kemi Badenoch
The Federal Government has dismissed remarks by Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, suggesting that Nigerian law prevents women from passing citizenship to their children.
During an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Sunday, Badenoch claimed that while she holds Nigerian citizenship through her parents, she cannot transfer it to her children because she is a woman. She also described Nigeria’s citizenship process as “virtually impossible,” contrasting it with the UK’s relatively easier system.
In response, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rejected Badenoch’s statement as “false and disturbing.” He clarified that Section 25 of the Nigerian Constitution grants citizenship by descent to children born abroad if either parent is Nigerian, regardless of gender.
“The claim is incorrect. Nigerian law does not discriminate based on gender—children born overseas to a Nigerian mother or father are eligible for citizenship by descent,” Ebienfa stated.