Leader of His Majesty's Opposition Kemi Badenoch is facing fierce backlash after falsely claiming in a CNN interview that Nigerian women are prohibited from passing citizenship to their children—a statement swiftly refuted by lawyers, academics, and prominent activist Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu.
Speaking on 20 July to CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Badenoch stated:
In part 2 of my conversation with British Conservative Party leader @KemiBadenoch, she told me why she believes assimilation is crucial for immigrants in Britain. pic.twitter.com/AUdR63Csb3
— Fareed Zakaria (@FareedZakaria) July 20, 2025
“I have that [Nigerian] citizenship by virtue of my parents; I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman.”
Legal scholars immediately challenged the assertion, citing Section 25(1)(c) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which affirms that a person born outside Nigeria is a citizen by birth if either parent is Nigerian—a clause that is explicitly gender-neutral.
Among those leading the charge was lawyer and commentator Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, who took to social media with a blistering response:
“Kemi Badenoch LIED. Nigerian women CAN pass citizenship to their children. Her claim is FALSE & DANGEROUS. She must retract & apologise.”
The tweet has since gained traction, igniting a broader conversation about the responsibilities of public figures when speaking on constitutional matters—especially those tied to heritage and gender rights.
Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu posted on X:
Kemi Badenoch owes Nigeria an apology for this brazen lie! What an embarrassment of a political prostitute she is. A parent who shamelessly weaponises her kids for political gain is a disgrace. Keep Nigeria out of your godforsaken mouth @KemiBadenoch! pic.twitter.com/Akukee7tkQ
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) July 21, 2025
Badenoch’s remarks appear to conflate spousal citizenship laws—where discrepancies do exist—with citizenship by descent. The reality:
“Citizenship isn’t a male privilege under Nigerian law,” noted one constitutional lawyer. “Statements like Badenoch’s misrepresent decades of legal reform.”
The backlash has raised questions about legal literacy, diasporic identity, and the political weaponisation of heritage. As leader of the opposition and a potential prime ministerial contender, Badenoch’s remarks carry significant weight—critics argue she must publicly correct the record.
As of publication, Badenoch’s office has not responded to JamRadio's requests for comment.