Kemi Badenoch says Nigerian citizenship law blocks women from passing nationality to their children. Vanguard
EPICSTORIAN — Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has criticized Nigeria’s citizenship laws, stating they prevent women from transferring their citizenship to their children.
Speaking during an interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN, Badenoch used her own experience as an example of the legal barriers faced by Nigerian women under existing nationality rules.
Nigerian Citizenship Law Criticized by Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch explained that despite holding Nigerian citizenship through her parents, she is unable to extend the same right to her children due to her gender.
“I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman,” she said. She contrasted this with the United Kingdom’s immigration framework, which she believes has been historically lenient towards foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
She Slams Gender Disparity In Nigerian Citizenship Process
Badenoch argued that many Nigerians easily obtain British citizenship and take advantage of more relaxed policies. “Loads of Nigerians come to the UK and stay for a relatively free period of time, acquire British citizenship. We need to stop being naive,” she said.
She defended recent stricter immigration policies introduced under her leadership, adding, “That is why under my leadership, we now have policies to make it harder to just get British citizenship. It has been too easy.”
During the interview, the UK conservative party house leader rejected suggestions that immigrants should attempt to recreate “mini-Nigeria” communities within the United Kingdom. “That is not right. Nigerians would not tolerate that. That’s not something that many countries would accept,” she stated.
Double Standards In Immigration Laws
She emphasized that behaviors tolerated by some immigrants abroad would not be accepted in their home countries. “There are many people who come to our country, to the UK, who do things that would not be acceptable in their countries,” she noted.
Badenoch, who was born in London to Nigerian parents and partly raised in Lagos, used her personal story to illustrate the complexities around nationality laws and immigration fairness.
What Changes Required in Nigerian Citizenship And Immigration Policy?
Her comments have rekindled debates about Nigeria’s nationality law, particularly the constitutional limitations placed on women regarding the transmission of citizenship.
Advocates argue that such gender-based restrictions reflect outdated practices and highlight the need for reform.
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Under her leadership, the United Kingdom continues to toughen its immigration policies while Nigeria’s citizenship laws remain a point of contention in discussions around gender equality and legal reforms.
