The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, recently disclosed that her office made attempts to reach out to Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom's Conservative Party, but received no response.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa addressed Badenoch's connection to Nigeria, emphasizing that NiDCOM respects the individual choices of Nigerians abroad regarding their national identity.
Dabiri-Erewa clarified that Nigeria would not impose expectations on Badenoch to identify with her Nigerian heritage if she chose otherwise. “It depends on whether she embraces her Nigerian identity.
"We reached out to her once or twice, but there was no response. We don’t force anyone to acknowledge being Nigerian,” she stated, highlighting NiDCOM’s approach of non-compulsion and respect for personal choice in matters of cultural affiliation.
As part of her commentary, the NiDCOM chief noted that the organization consistently welcomes Nigerians abroad who are interested in connecting with their roots. Dabiri-Erewa cited an example of a former Miss Universe Nigeria who reconnected with her Nigerian heritage after facing challenges in South Africa.
“She then identified with Nigeria, came to Nigeria, and we hosted her. If the Nigerian blood is in you, you’re always a Nigerian,” Dabiri-Erewa explained, emphasizing NiDCOM’s commitment to supporting individuals who value their Nigerian heritage.
Born in London in 1980, Badenoch spent parts of her childhood in Lagos and the United States, where her mother worked as a lecturer.
Dabiri-Erewa suggested that Badenoch’s decision to embrace her Nigerian identity would ultimately rest with her, stating that NiDCOM is open to collaboration with any individual who identifies as Nigerian, but cannot impose such an identity on anyone.
“We are open to working with anyone who sees themselves as Nigerian, but it’s not something we can force,” she concluded.
Badenoch’s recent rise to leadership within the UK Conservative Party stirred mixed reactions among Nigerians. As the first Black woman to lead a major political party in the UK, her victory was celebrated by some as a historic achievement, while others downplayed its impact on Nigerians and the broader Black community in the diaspora.
Mo Abudu, a prominent Nigerian media entrepreneur, expressed pride in Badenoch’s accomplishment on social media, describing it as a testament to overcoming barriers and seizing opportunities.
