Vice President Kashim Shettima has publicly criticized Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, for making disparaging remarks about Nigeria.

Speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Shettima expressed disapproval of Badenoch’s past statements, where she accused Nigerian politicians of misusing public funds for personal gain.

Referencing Badenoch’s controversial comments from 2022, Shettima noted, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party – we are proud of her despite her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin. She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not change the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is Nigeria.”

Shettima further emphasized Nigeria’s global significance, stating, “One out of every three or four black men is a Nigerian, and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States as the third most populous nation on earth.”

This is not the first time Badenoch’s remarks about Nigeria have sparked controversy. Following her election as Conservative Party leader in November 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) reportedly reached out to Badenoch but received no response. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the commission’s chairperson, confirmed the lack of engagement.