“The Internet Never Forgets”: Kemi Badenoch Under Fire for Disowning Nigerian Heritage After Years of Political Appeal to Nigerians

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United Kingdom Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Right Honourable Kemi Badenoch, is facing heavy criticism on social media following resurfaced evidence showing her previously seeking support from Nigerians — a sharp contrast to her recent comments appearing to disown her Nigerian heritage.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, welcomed Badenoch on a courtesy visit this week, sharing photos and highlighting their discussions on areas of mutual interest and future collaborations between the UK and Lagos. But what should have been a diplomatic highlight soon spiraled into controversy online.

A resurfaced 2010 video shows a younger Kemi Badenoch — then known as Kemi Adegoke — appealing to Nigerians in the UK to vote for her during her bid for a parliamentary seat. In the footage, she passionately urged Nigerians to “support a Nigerian who is trying to improve our national image and do something great here.”

Now, 15 years later, critics say Badenoch has changed her tune entirely.

In her latest public remarks, the UK Minister stated that she no longer identifies as Nigerian, sparking outrage from Nigerians at home and abroad. Civil rights activist and former Senator Shehu Sani didn’t hold back in his reaction:

“Back in 2010 when Kemi ‘Adegoke’ was desperate to win a parliamentary seat, she begged Nigerians for support. But today, as Kemi ‘Badenoch,’ she thinks identifying as Nigerian reduces her. She should be ashamed of herself!”

Prominent UK-based Nigerian lawyer and activist Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu also weighed in, calling Badenoch’s recent statements “her most coconut move yet.”

“She weaponizes Nigeria as political fodder by maligning the country and Nigerians. She’s putting all her eggs in a ‘white’ basket and having an existential identity crisis on a global stage — I love this for her,” Mos-Shogbamimu posted sarcastically.

The backlash follows a string of controversial remarks made by Badenoch, including describing her secondary school in Nigeria — FGGC Sagamu — as “a brutal boarding school” and likening it to “prison.” Those comments also drew intense public reaction, with many accusing her of pandering to British political sentiments by disparaging her roots.

Badenoch has yet to directly respond to the growing outrage.

But for many Nigerians online, the narrative is clear: a woman who once claimed her Nigerian identity when it served her political aspirations has now distanced herself from it at the peak of her career.

As one user succinctly put it, “The internet never forgets.”