Kemi Badenoch: I Won’t Let UK Become ‘Bankrupt Like Nigeria’

The leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has sparked controversy after drawing comparisons between Britain’s economic policies and Nigeria’s past governance, saying she is determined to ensure the United Kingdom does not become “bankrupt like Nigeria.”

Speaking during a discussion on economic policy and energy, Badenoch cited her upbringing in Nigeria as a major influence on her political views, arguing that poor government decisions can squander a country’s natural advantages.

“Nigeria is an oil-producing country, never had electricity,” Badenoch said. “It is very easy to have resources under the ground, but stupid public policy means that you can’t use it.”

She went on to criticize policies championed by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, comparing them to the approaches adopted by Nigerian military governments in the 1980s and 1990s.

“And I see quite a lot of what Ed Miliband is doing. It’s being very much like what the Nigerian military dictatorships were doing in the 80s and 90s. The government’s going to take control. We know what’s best. We’re going to redistribute. And stupid ideas which eventually just bankrupt the country,” she said.

In a swipe at Miliband, Badenoch added: “I mean, this is the sexiest Ed Miliband’s ever sounded, isn’t it? Turning up in his hat and seizing the radio station and saying, time’s up.”

The Conservative leader said her experiences growing up in Nigeria continue to shape her views on governance and economic management.

“I think fundamentally, my views about how we should run our country come from growing up in a place that was very poor,” she said.

“You grow up in a third world country and you look at why it is third world. And I don’t want that to happen here.”

Badenoch’s comments are likely to generate debate both in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, where discussions around governance, infrastructure, economic reforms and energy supply remain major public issues.