OPEN LETTER TO RT HON KEMI BADENOCH MP
Subject: A Call for Balanced Engagement with Nigeria, the Land of your Birth.
July 22, 2025.
Dear Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch,
I write to you with profound respect and recognition of your remarkable journey from your early years in Nigeria to your distinguished leadership as Secretary of State for Business and Trade in the United Kingdom. Your story is a compelling testament to personal resolve and the opportunities available within inclusive democratic societies. It is also one that resonates with millions across the African diaspora.
However, with sincerity and shared responsibility, I write to express a concern that many thoughtful Nigerians, both at home and abroad, now carry. Your public commentary on Nigeria increasingly reflects a posture that many interpret not as constructive critique but as sustained disavowal. This letter is not a plea for silence, nor a sentimental call for patriotism. It is an invitation to reckon – as equals – with the weight of your voice, the complexity of our shared heritage, and the impact of narratives projected from positions of power.
- The July 2025 Citizenship Claim – A Costly Misrepresentation
In a recent public statement, you claimed that your children are unable to obtain Nigerian citizenship because “I’m a woman.” Respectfully, this is inaccurate and misleading.
Section 25(1)(b) and Section 26(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly provide citizenship by descent through either parent. Thousands of Nigerian women have successfully registered their children born abroad as Nigerian citizens. This legal framework reflects evolving constitutional reforms and has been reaffirmed by Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior.
As a high-profile figure with roots in Nigeria, this misstatement inadvertently fueled outdated narratives about Nigeria as a nation that institutionally excludes its own. It caused unnecessary confusion and pain to many women who have fought long and hard to uphold their rights within the framework of Nigerian law.
- 2023–2024 Remarks on Investment and Immigration
In 2023, you supported stricter UK visa controls on certain nationalities, with Nigeria singled out due to alleged high levels of application fraud. However, data from the UK Home Office did not place Nigeria among the leading countries in visa fraud or overstay violations. Nigerians have consistently shown high levels of educational attainment, professional integration, and compliance in the UK – particularly in health care, financial services, and academia.
In the same period, at a UK-Africa investment meeting, your comments reportedly described Nigeria’s regulatory environment as “irreparably corrupt.” While regulatory challenges are real, such a sweeping and absolute characterisation of an entire nation’s economic landscape – especially when not extended to others with similar constraints – was jarring. It discouraged investment engagement rather than inviting reform or risk-informed strategies.
- The 2022 Skilled Worker Visa Position
Your support in 2022 for tightening skilled worker visa routes for Nigerians was accompanied by strong language that framed Nigeria as a disproportionate source of immigration misuse. Again, the data did not justify this emphasis. Nigerians in the UK represent some of the highest-achieving migrant communities, contributing not only through remittances but through intellectual, technical, and economic value.
Such statements have reinforced an unbalanced image of Nigeria, where its global contributors are overlooked in favour of broad generalisations.
Global Examples – Using Identity as a Bridge
Your position is unique, but you are not alone. Many global leaders with transnational identities have shown that heritage can be a source of positive influence and bridge-building.
Barack Obama
President Obama often acknowledged the flaws of his father’s homeland, Kenya, yet chose to engage with it constructively. In Nairobi and Accra, he challenged Africa’s youth and leaders while affirming dignity, hope, and shared responsibility. His African identity was never a point of separation but of diplomatic strength.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
As a global economic leader and Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is both Nigerian and global. She speaks plainly about Nigeria’s weaknesses but with care, balance, and intent to elevate. Her leadership style inspires confidence, not contempt, in her country of origin.
The Nigerian Reality – Beyond the Stereotypes
Nigeria, like all complex nations, faces institutional and structural problems. But that is not the full story.
Consider:
Technology and Innovation –
Nigeria leads Africa’s startup ecosystem, attracting more venture capital than any other country on the continent.
Diaspora Brilliance-
Nigerians in the UK and North America are among the most educated and professionally successful immigrant groups.
Democratic Determination –
Despite imperfections, Nigeria has maintained uninterrupted civilian rule for 25 years.
Global Cultural Power-
From Afrobeats to literature to cinema, Nigeria’s creative industries shape global culture.
A Final Word – From a Fellow Equal
Rt Hon Badenoch, this letter does not come from an adversary. It comes from a fellow global citizen, a stakeholder in Nigeria’s progress, and one who understands the power of narrative. You are not merely a political figure. As the leader of the opposition and a voice with global visibility, you are also a symbol. The words you speak – especially about Nigeria – carry weight far beyond Parliament. They shape perceptions, influence narratives, and echo across borders. Choose them with the precision and responsibility that your position demands
To quote Chinua Achebe: “ The World is like a Mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place .”
As equals in origin and influence, let us commit to building narratives that reflect the fullness of our story – not only the struggle but also the strength, not only the flaws but also the fight to rise.
With respect and expectation,
Kelvin Uwaibi.
Investment Strategist | Governance Reformer | Advocate for Balanced African Narratives
