Presidency Challenges British Minister, Says She Lied About Nigerian Laws

The Nigerian Presidency has strongly criticized British Conservative Party leader and cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch over her recent claims regarding Nigerian citizenship laws. According to iReporter Online, Badenoch asserted that she had been unable to obtain Nigerian citizenship for her children, blaming the difficulty on her gender—despite being born to Nigerian parents.

In a swift rebuttal, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, labeled Badenoch’s comments as untrue and misleading. He urged British authorities to send her back to Nigeria for what he termed “proper re-education” on the nation’s laws. According to iReporter Online, Onanuga stated via his verified X handle that the Nigerian Constitution, particularly Section 25, clearly outlines who qualifies for citizenship, including children born abroad to Nigerian parents.

Quoting the law directly, Onanuga emphasized that Nigerian citizenship by birth is guaranteed to any person born outside Nigeria if at least one parent is a Nigerian citizen. He argued that Badenoch’s gender had no bearing on the eligibility of her children, calling her assertion a fabrication.

According to iReporter Online, Onanuga maintained that Badenoch’s narrative distorts constitutional truth and disrespects her country of origin. “She lied,” he stated bluntly. “She owes her fatherland some apology.”

He also praised UK-based Nigerian activist Shola Shogbamimu for correcting Badenoch’s misunderstanding, further insisting that accurate information about Nigeria’s legal frameworks must be upheld—especially by public figures of Nigerian descent representing other countries.

The statement adds to ongoing discussions about identity, representation, and legal responsibilities for Nigerians in the diaspora, especially those holding dual national roles in foreign governments.