Badenoch Says Nigeria’s Oil Wealth Has Failed to Deliver Reliable Electricity

LONDON, June 13 – Leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has criticised Nigeria’s inability to translate its vast oil and gas resources into reliable electricity, arguing that poor public policy has hindered the country’s development despite its energy wealth.

Badenoch, who spent part of her childhood in Nigeria before moving to the United Kingdom as a teenager, made the remarks during an interview with The Spectator, where she reflected on how her upbringing shaped her political and economic views.

According to her, Nigeria’s struggles with electricity supply despite being a major oil-producing nation influenced her support for domestic oil and gas production in the UK.

“My belief that we need to drill our oil and gas comes from growing up in a country… 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.”

Criticism of UK Energy Policies

The Conservative leader also drew comparisons between policies promoted by the UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, and the economic approach adopted by Nigerian military governments during the 1980s and 1990s.

Badenoch argued that excessive government intervention in the economy can undermine growth and prosperity.

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

Warning Against Economic Decline

The politician further said her experiences growing up in a developing country reinforced her belief in policies aimed at preserving economic prosperity and preventing decline.

“Fundamentally, my views about how we should run our country come from growing up in a place that was very poor. You grow up in a third-world country and you look at why it is termed ‘third world,’ and I don’t want that to happen here,” Badenoch said.

She added that many Britons often take for granted the country’s wealth, institutions and historical achievements, stressing the need for a renewed focus on British culture and national identity.

Badenoch’s comments come amid ongoing debates in the UK over energy policy, economic growth and the transition to net-zero emissions, issues expected to remain central ahead of future elections.

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A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.