Former Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has responded to recent comments made by the United Kingdom’s Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch. Badenoch, who has Nigerian heritage, stated that she does not want the UK to become like Nigeria, citing poor governance and economic challenges that, according to her, have negatively impacted her wealthy family.
In a strongly worded response, Fani-Kayode criticized Badenoch’s remarks, asserting that he would prefer to live in Nigeria despite its economic struggles rather than in what he described as a morally declining Britain.
“I would rather live in ‘poor’ Nigeria than in ‘rich’ Britain where men marry men, women marry women, homosexuality and bisexuality are encouraged, and paedophilia is celebrated,” Fani-Kayode stated. He further accused the UK of eroding traditional values and promoting practices that he believes contradict Christian and Muslim principles.
Fani-Kayode went on to allege that the UK discriminates against religious groups and minorities, stating, “In Britain, Christians are derided, Muslims are hated, churches are empty, mosques are bombed, and blacks are treated like filth.” He also criticized what he perceived as Britain’s tolerance of crime and social vices, including rising knife-related crimes and racial discrimination.
Furthermore, the former minister launched a personal attack against Badenoch, describing her as someone who, in his view, has distanced herself from her Nigerian roots and seeks approval from Western political figures. “She takes pleasure in denigrating 250 million Nigerians to please white supremacists and neo-Nazis in her newfound country,” he alleged.
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Fani-Kayode concluded his response by calling for Badenoch to be declared persona non grata in Nigeria, emphasizing the nation’s cultural and religious values despite its economic challenges. “Nigeria may be poor, but we hold fast to our Christian and Muslim values and know God,” he said.
Badenoch’s remarks and others she has made like calling Nigeria police thieves have ignited a broad spectrum of reactions, with social media users and political commentators offering differing opinions. While some endorse her critique of Nigeria’s governance challenges, others find her comments dismissive and disrespectful towards her country of origin.
