The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, has rebuked UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch over her claim that Nigerian law prohibits women from passing citizenship to their children.
Speaking on Channels Television’s, Dabiri‑Erewa described Badenoch’s remarks as “entirely untrue” and “misleading.”
She emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution under Section 25(1)(c) allows for citizenship by descent from either parent, regardless of gender—directly contradicting Badenoch’s claim.
Dabiri‑Erewa stated:
“Don’t divulge false information. You go on international media and spin a lie … that is not even true.” She went on to say: “It’s not about me or you… it’s about Nigeria. You can’t lie about your country, and then we keep quiet.”
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN added that Badenoch’s comments displayed “utter ignorance,” pointing out that the constitution clearly guarantees citizenship transmission regardless of parental gender.
He also noted that while some gender disparities remain in spousal citizenship registration, they do not impact citizenship by descent
The controversy erupted following a CNN interview in which Badenoch stated she could not pass Nigerian citizenship to her children because she is a woman, describing citizenship as “virtually impossible” to acquire.
Critics pointed out that Badenoch’s remarks ignored both constitutional law and available pathways for naturalisation and registration under Sections 26 and 27 of the 1999 Constitution.
This incident has reignited debate within Nigeria and among its diaspora communities over legal literacy, gender equality, national identity.
