In the grand theatre of British politics, few performers command the stage like Kemi Badenoch—Conservative MP, former equalities minister, and self-appointed arbiter of who gets to identify as what. Recently, she made headlines for her staunch opposition to transgender rights and self-identification of gender, arguing that biology is immutable and identity must be strictly defined.
But in a twist worthy of a Netflix drama, it turns out Badenoch herself has quietly stopped identifying as Nigerian—despite both her parents being Nigerian immigrants.
The Irony Is So Thick You Could Spread It on Toast
Badenoch has spent years insisting that people cannot simply choose their gender because, in her view, facts don’t care about feelings. Yet, when asked in 2023 whether she identified as Nigerian, she replied: “No, I’m British.”
Now, we’re not here to police anyone’s national identity—if Kemi feels more British than Nigerian, that’s her prerogative. But the sheer audacity of rejecting self-identification in one breath while practising it in another is the kind of hypocrisy that would make even Shakespeare gasp.
“Biology is Biology… Unless It’s My Heritage”
Badenoch’s argument against trans rights hinges on the idea that identity must be rooted in objective, unchangeable facts. Yet, national identity—much like gender—is a complex interplay of culture, upbringing, and personal choice. If she can opt out of being Nigerian because she feels British, why can’t a trans woman identify as a woman because she feels like one?
When pressed on this, Badenoch might argue that nationality is different from gender. But isn’t it funny how the rules only seem rigid when they apply to other people?
A Masterclass in Selective Rigidity
This isn’t just about Nigeria—it’s about consistency. If identity is so fixed, why can Kemi dismiss her Nigerian heritage while insisting that a trans man must forever be defined by his birth certificate?
Perhaps the real answer is that identity politics only works when you get to decide which identities are valid. For Badenoch, Nigerian-ness is optional, but womanhood is non-negotiable.
What’s Next for Kemi?
Given her flexible approach to identity, we have some predictions for Badenoch’s future:
- 2025: Announces she no longer identifies as a politician, but will still vote in Parliament.
- 2026: Declares herself French because she once ate a croissant.
- 2027: Insists that while she looks human, she actually identifies as a teapot—but don’t worry, it’s completely different from being trans.
Final Thought: Practice What You Preach?
Kemi Badenoch is, of course, entitled to her British identity. But if she’s going to lecture others on the immutability of who they are, maybe she should take a long, hard look in the mirror—preferably one that reflects both her British passport and her Nigerian roots.
After all, if identity is as simple as she claims, perhaps she should pick a lane—or at least stop handing out roadmaps to everyone else while taking detours herself.
Because Politics Should Come with a Laugh Track.
Centre for Nigeria Progress 