Fani-Kayode to Kemi Badenoch: ‘Nigeria Doesn’t Need You’

Former Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has issued a sharp rebuke to UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, asserting that Nigeria neither needs nor wants her influence. The comment, shared via his X handle on Thursday, came amid growing tensions over Badenoch’s remarks about her Nigerian heritage.

Fani-Kayode’s post read, “No you are not & neither do we need or want you to. You are however doing PR for the House Ni*gers Association & the racist, fascist scum that constitutes the far right wing of your adopted country. Do us a favour by shutting your foul mouth, dropping ‘Kemi’ as your name & changing it to ‘Aunty Jemimah’ instead.”

The controversy stems from Badenoch’s comments describing her upbringing in Nigeria as marred by fear, insecurity, and corruption. These remarks, which some perceived as disparaging, prompted a response from Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja earlier this week.

Shettima accused Badenoch of denigrating Nigeria and suggested that she drop “Kemi” from her name if she was not proud of her Nigerian roots. In response, Badenoch stood by her earlier statements, clarifying that she was not engaging in public relations for Nigeria but reflecting on her personal experiences.