Kemi Badenoch, the leader of Britain's main opposition Conservative Party, has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians and their descendants living in the UK. For some, her rise to the top of a major British political party is a beacon of hope and pride, marking the first time a Black woman has held such a position. However, others are concerned that her views might hinder progress towards racial equality.

Born in London to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos until the age of 16, Badenoch, now 44, represents the right wing of the Conservative Party. She was elected leader on November 2, following the party's loss in the July election. A staunch advocate of meritocracy, Badenoch prefers not to emphasize her race, suggesting that the color of her skin should be as irrelevant as the color of her hair or eyes.

For Nigerian-born Abel Fayemi, who has resided in Peckham, London, for over two decades, Badenoch's election is a remarkable achievement. 'It has given us hope,' Fayemi said, reflecting the sentiments of the nearly 300,000 Nigerians in Britain. Similarly, 24-year-old Ajofoyinbo Oluwajuwon, who has lived in London for six years, sees Badenoch as a role model, describing her success as 'definitely an inspiration.'

However, not all are celebrating. Badenoch's comments at the 2023 Conservative Party conference, where she claimed Britain is the 'best country in the world to be Black,' have raised eyebrows. She has dismissed calls for reparations for slavery as a 'scam' and opposes the teaching of critical race theory in schools. These stances have alarmed some within the Black community and anti-racism activists.

Badenoch's hardline views on immigration, including her support for a now-scrapped plan to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda, have also drawn criticism. She argued that not all cultures are equally valid and that immigrants should embrace British values. Her remarks on child marriage and women's rights have further polarized opinions.

Janett Walker, CEO of Anti Racist Cumbria, expressed concern that Badenoch's approach could be used to 'gaslight' and dismiss the concerns of Black communities. The British-Nigerian writer Nels Abbey and Annabel Sowemimo, founder of the Reproductive Justice Initiative, also criticized Badenoch, arguing that her success does not negate the systemic barriers others face.

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