“It is virtually impossible to get Nigerian citizenship, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman.” — UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch claims

Leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has claimed she cannot pass Nigerian citizenship to her children because of her gender while criticizing the UK’s overly lenient immigration policies.

Badenoch made the claims in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Sunday, July 20, as she discussed UK immigration policies and the differences between Britain and countries like Nigeria, arguing that many immigrants exploit the British system in ways that would not be tolerated in their own countries.

When asked if she would permit a Nigerian immigrant to create a “mini-Nigeria” in the UK for cultural integration, her response was a swift “no”.

“That is not right. Nigerians would not tolerate that. That’s not something that many countries would accept,” she added.

“There are many people who come to our country, to the UK, who do things that would not be acceptable in their countries.”

Using her children’s alleged inability to get Nigerian citizenship to illustrate the stark contrast between Nigeria’s approach and that of the UK, she said:

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“It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship. “I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman.”

“Yet loads of Nigerians come to the UK and stay for a relatively free period of time, acquire British citizenship. We need to stop being naive.”

Contrary to Badenoch’s claim, section 25(1)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution states that a person born outside the country is a citizen of Nigeria if either of their parents is Nigerian. This means having just one Nigerian parent is sufficient for citizenship by birth.

When it comes to being Nigerian, most people think it’s all about “Na your papa Nigerian?” But what if your mother is proudly Nigerian — from Agbor, Abeokuta or Awka — and your father na obodo oyibo? Can you claim Nigerian citizenship?

Well, my people, the answer is: Yes, you can! But, as with many things in Nigeria, it’s not as straightforward as cooking indomie.

🧾 What the Constitution Says (1999 Edition, Still in Circulation Like Old Naira Notes)

Section 25(1) of the 1999 Constitution originally said that a person is a Nigerian by birth if:

“…his father or any of his grandparents belongs or belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria.”

Notice anything missing? No mention of your mother! Apparently, if your father is foreign, you’re on your own, even if your mama is a card-carrying citizen of a Nigerian village with a chief and a masquerade.

👩‍⚖️ But Wait — Section 42 to the Rescue!

Enter Section 42 of the same Constitution. It says:

“No citizen of Nigeria shall be discriminated against on the basis of sex…”

So, if you deny someone citizenship just because it’s their mother (and not father) who’s Nigerian, you’re technically discriminating — and that’s unconstitutional.

In summary: The Constitution contradicts itself. On one hand, Section 25 ignored the mama. On the other hand, Section 42 says “equal rights for all genders.” Nigerian courts and government agencies have started to side with the mothers, because constitutionally and morally, it’s the right thing to do.

🌍 What if the Child is Born Abroad?

Even if the child is born outside Nigeria, they can still be Nigerian through their mother — provided she is Nigerian by birth and belongs to a recognized indigenous community in Nigeria. The child will need to apply for citizenship by birth and be ready to submit proof, such as:

Mother’s Nigerian passport or national ID Birth certificate Community or LGA letter (if required) Affidavit or legal statement

If any MDA officer starts long story, just quote Section 42 and prepare for small constitutional debate (or bring your lawyer).

🛑 The Catch: Bureaucratic Wahala

Now, even though the law is on your side, Nigerian bureaucracy may not be. Some officers still cling to the old school reading of the Constitution like it’s a 1985 NEPA bill.

But the good news? Legal awareness is spreading, and government departments are beginning to accept maternal transmission of citizenship — especially when you bring Section 42 into the conversation like a hidden Uno card.

⚖️ Final Verdict: Mama Don Try!

Yes, you can claim Nigerian citizenship through your Nigerian mother, and yes, the law is gradually catching up with common sense.

If any official tries to tell you otherwise, just say:

“Oga, abeg check Section 42. I be citizen — maternally certified!”