Businessman and former president of Calvin University in the United States, Dr Wiebe Boer, has reacted to Kemi Badenoch’s recent statement that she no longer identifies as a Nigerian, saying that people can critique their country without renouncing it.
Badenoch, who grew up in Lagos State, Nigeria, and is now the leader of the United Kingdom Conservative Party, is reported by The Telegraph to have said that she had not had a Nigerian passport for two decades.
Taking to his LinkedIn page, Dr Boer recently stated that he found it deeply problematic to hear that the UK Opposition Leader has chosen to disassociate from Nigeria.
He said that as a proud Nigerian-born and raised Dutchman, he claims Nigeria anywhere and everywhere.
“From boardrooms in Amsterdam to classrooms in Michigan and hospitals in Guyana, Nigeria is always in my story — not just as heritage, but as part of the engine that drives who I am,” he added.
In light of Badenoch’s comment, Boer said that he has never heard Barack Obama disavow Kenya or Indonesia, even while running for president of the United States, nor heard Sunak disassociate from his Indian or East African roots.
“It seems that identifying with Nigeria has never been more on trend in the UK — not for optics, but because the impact of Nigerians across British life is too real to ignore,” he stated.
He noted that Maro Itoje, the captain of England Rugby and The British and Irish Lions; Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, and Ethan Nwaneri are all of Nigerian descent, lighting up English football.
Also, according to him, in film, Academy Award-nominated actors like Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cynthia Erivo, David Oyelowo, and Sophie Okonedo are household names.
“Or Academy Award winner Colin Firth, who grew up in Yola, Nigeria,” he added.
In music, he mentioned Seal, Sade, and Dave. In boxing, Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma. In religion and politics, he stated that the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, once worked in Nigeria’s oil industry in Port Harcourt; the same with former UK Prime Minister John Major, who had a banking stint in Jos early in his career.
Furthermore, in athletics, he mentioned Daley Thompson and Christine Ohuruogu. In literature, Booker Prize-winner Ben Okri. And in business, Tom Ilube and Obi Nwosu.
Boer noted that Nigeria continues to shape global excellence and that the UK is a major beneficiary of that, emphasising that companies with Nigerian roots are either listed on the London Stock Exchange or have major headquarters in the UK.
“These firms are not just flying the flag — they are contributing real jobs, capital, and innovation to the British economy,” he stated.
The businessman, revisiting Kemi Badenoch’s comment, said that one can critique a country without renouncing it, stressing that that is what leaders do and that that is what representation demands.
“Choosing to distance oneself from Nigeria isn’t neutral. It says something. And for those of us who know the complexity, beauty, pain, and power of our homeland — it stings.
“I will always claim Nigeria. Every day, everywhere. Because it is still shaping some of the best stories — and people — the UK (and the world) has to offer.”
