The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has tackled United Kingdom Conservative leader of Nigerian descent, Kemi Badenoch, over alleged false claims about Nigerian women and their citizenship status.

Badenoch, in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria had said she is unable to transfer her Nigerian citizenship to her children because of her gender.

Badenoch discussed immigration policies and the differences between Britain and countries like Nigeria.

“It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship. I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman.”

During an interview on Hard Copy, a Channels Television programme, on Friday, Dabiri-Erewa faulted Badenoch’s controversial statement suggesting that women could not get Nigerian citizenship simply by giving birth.

“But that is not even true. And that is the problem I have. Don’t divulge false information. You go on international media and spew a lie. That is a lie. But that is not even true. And I’m sure people have responded. So my problem with that is that it is not true. So why tell us something that is not true? That is the problem I have with that,” she said.

Dabiri-Erewa condemned Badenoch’s decision to air the claim publicly, saying, “When you denigrate your country, we’ll reply you. It’s not about me or the president or you. It’s about Nigeria. You can’t lie about your country then we keep quiet,”

Dabiri-Erewa noted that the focus should not be on Badenoch alone, as many other Nigerians are making remarkable strides abroad.

“You know the number of Nigerians we have in the UK in the political space that are doing very well. We don’t have to focus on one person,” she said.

She commended Nigerians contributing positively in the diaspora.

While acknowledging the many distress cases involving Nigerians abroad, Dabiri-Erewa insisted that the commission remains committed to protecting and celebrating Nigerians overseas.

She said diaspora engagement must be grounded in truth, responsibility, and a deep sense of patriotism. (Saturday PUNCH)