Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has revealed that her office reached out to Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, but did not receive a response. Dabiri-Erewa shared her thoughts on the matter during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
“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,” Dabiri-Erewa said, emphasizing that the choice to identify with Nigerian heritage is personal.
Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that NiDCOM is always open to engaging with Nigerians abroad who choose to celebrate their heritage, citing the example of a former Miss Universe Nigeria who reconnected with her Nigerian roots 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,” she added.
Kemi Badenoch, who was born in London in 1980 and spent part of her childhood in Lagos before moving to the United States, has a multifaceted background. Dabiri-Erewa stressed that while NiDCOM is ready to engage with anyone identifying with Nigeria, the decision ultimately lies with the individual.
“We are open to working with anyone who sees themselves as Nigerian, but it’s not something we can force,” she concluded.
