Dutch-Nigerian businessman, Dr. Wiebe Boer, has strongly criticised British politician Kemi Badenoch for publicly distancing herself from her Nigerian heritage.
Boer, who was born and raised in Nigeria before becoming a Dutch citizen, took to LinkedIn on Friday to express disappointment over Badenoch’s recent remarks. He described her stance as “deeply problematic” and harmful to the message of heritage and representation, especially for Africans in the diaspora.
Badenoch, who currently serves as the UK’s opposition leader and is seen as a rising political figure, made the comments during a podcast interview with Gyles Brandreth. She revealed that she had not renewed her Nigerian passport in over 20 years and no longer considers herself Nigerian.
In response, Boer stated that Nigeria remains a central part of who he is, both personally and professionally, no matter where he lives or what passport he holds. He stressed that identity is not something to be cast aside based on location or citizenship.
Kemi Badenoch was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian parents and has long been seen as a symbol of multicultural success in British politics. However, her latest comments have sparked debate among Nigerians and members of the diaspora, many of whom view heritage as a source of pride, not something to be denied.
Boer’s reaction adds to growing concerns about how influential figures represent their roots on the global stage.
