Leader of the Conservative party, Kemi Badenoch proposed a new immigration policy for immigrants who want to stay in Britain permanently. The proposed policy from the Conservatives requires immigrants to wait for 10 years before they can become eligible for British citizenship. According to her, this strategic move will be integrated into the system to ensure citizenship only goes to those who demonstrate true commitment.
Since the announcement video was shared, Nigerian social media has been buzzing with mixed reactions. A few hours ago, iNaijaNow posted the full video of her announcement on its Instagram handle. Nigerians have questioned Kemi’s motive in a series of social media posts on the proposed policy. While the 15-year wait has been the most popular tag, it is only one out of the five aspects of the proposed policy.
Kemi Badenoch Proposed a New Policy That Cost Immigrants 15 Years
The Opposition Leader stated, “I want to reduce immigration and make living here actually mean something. We need to change the way our immigration system works”. First, Badenoch mentioned that “If you want to stay in our country permanently and apply for indefinite leave to remain, the time you will have to live here would increase from 5 to 10 years.
Also, she addressed the financial status of prospective immigrants, disclosing that “You will have to be a net contributor with a high enough salary, especially if you want to bring family members with you”. With the new policy, anyone who has applied for benefits and social housing, or has had a criminal history does not stand a chance. This is because the conservatives intend to ban anyone with a criminal record, and those with social housing can’t even apply.”
On the popular British Citizenship topic, Kemi Badenoch stated ” We would increase the time you can apply for a British passport from 12 months to 5 years, meaning it would take a minimum of 15 years to start an application”.
Why is Kemi Badenoch Popular?
If you are wondering why she is so popular now, it is because this is not the first time that she has made headlines in Nigeria. Also, this is largely because of what Kemi Badedoch said about Nigeria. Femi and Feyi Adegoke, who are the parents of Kemi Badenoch were successful professionals who thrived in their careers. While the father was a general medical practitioner cum activist, her mother was a professor. It is safe to say that excellence runs in the family, This is because Kemi was once a software engineer. Now, she has become the leader of conservatives in Britain.
Notwithstanding, the English-born politician had made controversial remarks about Nigeria several times. According to her, “I grew up in a poor country and I watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer.” Also, she spoke about her disdain for Nigeria in another controversial statement. That was in December 2024, and she said “I find it interesting that everyone defines me as a Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with my specific ethnic group”.
Kemi Badenoch’s Yoruba origin is indisputable, However, her disregard for her Nigerian nationality is questionable. This is because she had used the Nigerian card in 2010 during her campaign for the UK parliament. What Kemi Badenoch said about Nigeria is one of the reasons why she has become increasingly popular among Nigerians. Moreover, the latest news about how Kemi Badenoch proposed a new policy that costs immigrants 5 years is an issue for Nigerians.
Given the increasing rate of Japa and the relatively easy process that immigrants have enjoyed in the past, most Nigerians consider the new policy to be unfair. The plight and outcry of Nigerians on this matter is understandable. However, one has to wonder – how long will new foreign policies from external governments continue to affect us as a nation?
Recall that the US government recently shut down USAID operations in Nigeria, and several Nigerians lamented about how this action will affect the country. As time and nations evolve, Nigerian policymakers must find sustainable solutions to make the country less susceptible to the negative impact of external policies.
Disclaimer: The opinions, views, and information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of iNaijanow. The company assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from the use of this information. Abisola Ige is a seasoned content writer with experience in crafting engaging and quality articles across various niches. She is passionate about creating impactful content that informs and inspires readers.
