Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has strongly criticized Kemi Badenoch, the UK Conservative Party leader and Secretary of State for Business and Trade, over her recent comments regarding Nigeria’s citizenship laws.
Badenoch, during a Sunday interview on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, claimed she could not transmit Nigerian citizenship to her children because she is a woman. She also described Nigeria’s citizenship laws as “virtually impossible”, sparking widespread backlash.
“Her Children Are Nigerians by Birth” – Falana
Reacting on Monday, Falana described Badenoch’s remarks as “a reflection of utter ignorance” of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions. He clarified that any child born outside Nigeria automatically acquires Nigerian citizenship if either parent is Nigerian at the time of birth.
“Her children are Nigerians because she is a Nigerian,” Falana stated.
“Her assertion is not in consonance with Section 25(b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution.”
He also referenced Section 42(2), which prohibits discrimination based on gender or birth circumstances, reinforcing that citizenship rights cannot be denied based on gender.
Falana Debunks Claims of Citizenship Difficulty
Contrary to Badenoch’s claim that acquiring Nigerian citizenship is nearly impossible, Falana pointed to Sections 26 and 27 of the Constitution, which outline the legal paths for foreigners to obtain citizenship by registration or naturalisation, provided certain conditions are met.
However, he acknowledged the gender bias still present in some aspects of the law, such as the inability of Nigerian women to confer citizenship to foreign husbands, calling for reforms to align with global equality standards.
“Playing to Right-Wing Gallery”
Falana accused Badenoch of misrepresenting Nigerian laws in a bid to appeal to right-wing voters in the UK.
“Badenoch’s remarks are an attempt to curry favour with the British electorate at the expense of her country of origin,” he said.
“Such misinformation unfairly maligns Nigeria.”
Background
Kemi Badenoch, born in the UK to Nigerian parents, spent part of her early life in Nigeria before returning to the UK at age 16. She is married to Hamish Badenoch, a former Conservative councillor, and they have three children.
Known for her tough stance on immigration, Badenoch’s recent remarks have reignited debates about diaspora identity, citizenship rights, and the need for gender equality in constitutional interpretation.
