When Denial Becomes Disgrace – Kemi Badenoch and the Erosion of National Dignity

Kemi Badenoch

By Dr. Michael Omoruyi | Publisher, iNewsAfrica | August 6, 2025

In a world where identity, heritage, and representation have become powerful tools for inclusion and progress, it is disheartening to hear public figures repudiate their roots. Kemi Badenoch, the British Member of Parliament and first black woman to lead a major UK political party, recently made headlines with her controversial statement: “I no longer identify myself as Nigerian.”

This declaration is more than a personal sentiment—it reverberates globally and symbolically, especially for Nigerians in the diaspora who continue to strive for dignity, representation, and reform from afar. When a figure like Badenoch—of Nigerian origin and significant political stature—publicly distances herself from Nigeria, it sends a damaging message: that Nigeria is a source of shame, not pride.

A Betrayal of Heritage and the Diaspora

Badenoch’s comment is not just an individual disavowal; it is a symbolic betrayal. She is the product of Nigerian upbringing and African culture. Her education and socialization were influenced by that very identity. For someone who has reaped the rewards of her Nigerian foundation to denounce it when it is no longer convenient is profoundly disappointing.

Millions of Nigerians in the diaspora work tirelessly to change the negative global narratives about their country. From tech entrepreneurs to doctors, writers to activists, they carry Nigeria on their backs and prove its worth daily. Badenoch, rather than joining that honorable effort, has chosen to distance herself for political acceptance.

Reinforcing Colonial-Era Stereotypes

Badenoch’s rejection plays directly into the old colonial playbook—one that sees African identity as inferior, primitive, or burdensome. In distancing herself from her Nigerian identity, she panders to right-wing sentiments in Britain that have historically undermined the African immigrant experience. Her rhetoric provides ammunition to those who stereotype Nigerians as corrupt, unworthy, or “lesser” citizens.

Rather than use her platform to reshape perceptions and uplift African voices, she has opted for political convenience—aligning with ideologies that marginalize minorities and erase African contributions to global progress.

Contradiction of Diversity Politics

Ironically, Badenoch’s political brand is one of “common-sense conservatism” within a diverse Britain. Yet, she fails to grasp the power and responsibility that comes with her unique identity. Representation is not only about appearance—it is about embracing one’s history, flaws, and potential for transformation. True strength lies in the ability to own your past while shaping a better future.

For a woman hailed as a trailblazer for Black Britons to so boldly denounce her African roots undermines decades of diaspora activism, multicultural advocacy, and progress in African pride.

The Bigger Problem: Internalized Colonialism

What Kemi Badenoch has expressed may be symptomatic of a larger issue—internalized colonialism, where individuals from post-colonial nations disassociate from their cultures to feel validated in Western spaces. In doing so, they perpetuate the very systems that have historically oppressed and devalued them.

Rather than becoming a voice for Nigerian excellence within British power corridors, Badenoch has—intentionally or not—become a symbol of self-denial and cultural detachment.

A Missed Opportunity to Inspire

Kemi Badenoch could have been a bridge—between two worlds, two nations, and two cultures. She could have inspired pride among young Nigerians and shown how one can belong to both Britain and Nigeria without conflict. Instead, she has chosen to sever that bridge, fueling division and damaging the very image she could have helped to uplift.

Being Nigerian is not always easy. Our country has its challenges, yes—but it also has resilience, brilliance, and boundless potential. To deny that is to deny not just a country, but a community, a legacy, and a story worth telling.

About the Author
Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a technologist, educator, and the author of “From Grit to Grace: A Memoir of Roots, Resilience, and Reinvention.” He currently serves as Director of Diaspora Affairs for the LPPMC and advocates for youth inclusion and African innovation.