Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, has expressed that she identifies more strongly with her Yoruba heritage than with being Nigerian, highlighting a personal distinction in her cultural identity.
In an interview with The Spectator, she shared her perspective on the complexities of identifying as Nigerian, particularly in light of her limited connection to the northern regions of the country.
Badenoch, born in the UK to Nigerian parents, explained that her ethnicity has a much stronger influence on her identity than the broad national label of “Nigerian.” She pointed out that her experiences and connection to the Yoruba ethnic group, which is predominantly located in the southwestern part of Nigeria, shape her worldview.
“I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity [Yoruba],” Badenoch said, adding, “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is.”
Her comments also reflect a sense of disconnection from the northern region of Nigeria, which she associates with extremism and the Boko Haram insurgency. Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group, has been responsible for significant violence and terror in northern Nigeria, and Badenoch’s remarks underscore how the region’s challenges have affected her personal sense of identity.
Badenoch’s statement sheds light on the complexities of identity for people of Nigerian descent living outside the country and how their experiences can differ significantly from the broader national narrative. It also touches on the broader topic of ethnic identity versus national identity, particularly in a globalized world where people are increasingly asked to define themselves within both local and global contexts.
