Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria can boast of several global personalities who can improve the country's reputation on the global stage.

Ahmad's comment was in response to Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom (UK) Conservative Party, who stated that she is not interested in being Nigeria's public relations officer.

This came after Vice President Kashim Shettima criticized her for speaking negatively about the country.

In a post on X, the former presidential aide pointed out that Nigeria does not depend on the leader of the Conservative Party to enhance its public relations. He emphasized that the country has other prominent individuals who can promote Nigeria's image globally.

"Nigeria does not need her PR, and no one is pressuring her to do so. Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Hajiya Amina J. Mohammed, Dr. Akin Adesina, and many others are already making significant contributions for Nigeria and Africa. If she truly believes in her chosen country, she should refrain from criticizing us and find other ways to gain approval from her superiors," he wrote in the post on X.

Badenoch had described Nigeria as a corrupt nation with dishonest politicians and high levels of insecurity in a video that went viral.

“This is my country. I don’t want it to become like the place I ran away from,” she said.

“I grew up in Nigeria, and I saw firsthand what happens when politicians are in it for themselves, when they use public money as their private piggy banks, when they pollute the whole political atmosphere with their failure to serve others.

“I saw what socialism is for millions. I saw poverty and broken dreams. I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest endeavour can take you anywhere.”

Badenoch also said she “grew up in a place where fear was everywhere. You cannot understand it unless you’ve lived it. Triple-checking that all the doors and windows are locked, waking up in the night at every sound, listening as you hear your neighbours scream as they are being burgled and beaten, wondering if your home would be next”.

Born in the UK in 1980 to Nigerian Yoruba parents, she returned to Nigeria, where she grew up. Badenoch finally departed for the UK when she turned 16.

Nigeria doesn't need her PR, and no one is pushing her to do so, as Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Hajiya Amina J. Mohammed, Dr. Akin Adesina, and many more are already doing more than enough for Nigeria and Africa. If she really believes in her chosen country, she should stop… https://t.co/YYLGvaRAjy

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) December 12, 2024