UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has stirred new controversy after comparing her time at Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Sagamu to life in a prison. In a viral interview clip, she shared that students had to use machetes to cut grass and fetch water in buckets, likening it to a scene from Lord of the Flies.
“It was like being in prison… That was the first time I was away from home. A dormitory with about 150 girls… The machete was for cutting grass.”
The comment drew backlash, especially from Nigerians who view such experiences as part of growing up in a communal boarding school setting—not forced labour.
Recurring Pattern: Badenoch’s Criticism of Nigeria
This is not the first time Badenoch has come under fire for negative remarks about Nigeria, despite spending much of her childhood in Lagos.
1. “I Don’t Identify as a Nigerian”
On August 1, 2025, she told the Rosebud Podcast that she hadn’t renewed her Nigerian passport in 20 years:
“By identity, I’m not really Nigerian… I just have family there.”
2. “I Grew Up in Fear in Lagos”
During a 2024 Tory conference, she described Lagos as a place where “fear was everywhere,” recounting how she grew up triple-checking locks and hearing neighbours scream during robberies.
3. “My Children Can’t Be Nigerians”
In a CNN interview, she lamented that Nigerian law does not allow women to pass on citizenship to their children. She added:
“Not all cultures are equal… I won’t accept that.”
4. “Britain May End Up Like Nigeria”
In a 2025 speech, she warned that the UK could collapse like Nigeria under poor governance and rampant inflation, recounting how her family became poorer despite working hard.
5. “Nigerian Police Robbed My Brother”
Speaking to The Free Press, Badenoch recalled Nigerian police stealing her brother’s shoes and watch, saying her experience with UK police was much more positive.
Critics Question Her Identity Politics
Despite her criticisms, Badenoch once leaned into her Nigerian heritage during the 2010 UK general elections, when she ran for Dulwich & West Norwood—a constituency with a strong African population.
Many now view her identity shift as politically selective, using her Nigerian roots when convenient, while disavowing them in other contexts.
Conclusion: Honest Experience or Harmful Stereotype?
Kemi Badenoch’s personal experiences may be valid, but critics argue that her continued focus on Nigeria’s flaws, without nuance, feeds harmful narratives. As a major UK political figure, her words have real impact—especially on Nigerian-British communities and perceptions of Africa abroad.
