The recently concluded July 4 UK election marked a historic and momentous occasion, not only for the United Kingdom but also for Nigeria and the Nigerian diaspora. Six politicians of Nigerian descent were elected to the UK Parliament, a testament to the strength and influence of the Nigerian community in Britain. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication, talent, and perseverance of these individuals and serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for Nigerians worldwide.
Bayo Alaba
Bayo Alaba was born and raised in Forest Gate, East London. He is a trustee on the board of the Phoenix Resource Centre, a prominent charity operating in the UK and abroad. MP Bayo Alaba won Newcastle under the Labour Party.
The British businessman of Nigerian descent won Southend East and Rochford for the Labour Party. Alaba secured 15,395 votes against the Conservative Party candidate, Gavin Haran, who received 11,368 votes. He is a Labour Councillor, a former Parachute Regiment soldier, a school governor, a youth mentor, a charity trustee, and one of the pioneers of the East London creative economy. He is a husband and father of three children.
Alaba has over two decades of experience in community and voluntary service. During his campaign, he sent a powerful message to Westminster, stating, “You can no longer hold Southend back!” Alaba is currently serving as the first black councillor for the London Borough of Redbridge.
Kemi Badenoch
Ms. Badenoch was born on 2 January 1980 in Wimbledon, London. She is one of three children of Nigerian Yoruba parents, Femi and Feyi Adegoke. The British-Nigerian politician, Kemi Badenoch, retained her seat for North West Essex in a tight race. The Conservative Party did not fare well in this general election.
She is the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in Rishi Sunak’s cabinet. Badenoch received 19,360 votes, representing 35.6 per cent of the total votes, a decrease of 26.1 per cent from her previous majority. Kemi Badenoch has served as the MP for Saffron Walden since 2017. Her father, Femi Adegoke, is a GP, and her mother, Feyi Adegoke, is a professor of physiology.
Ms. Badenoch spent her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, and the United States, where her mother was a lecturer. She returned to the UK at the age of 16 to live with her mother’s friend. Despite being born in the UK, Badenoch, during her parliamentary maiden speech, stated she is “to all intents and purposes a first-generation immigrant.”
Taiwo Owatemi
Taiwo Owatemi was born on 22 July 1992 and grew up in Plumstead. Her mother, a nurse, raised her and her two brothers after her father died when she was six years old. Ms. Owatemi was first elected to the UK Parliament in 2019.
A former Member of Parliament of Nigerian descent, Taiwo Owatemi, also won the UK Parliament election in Coventry North West for the Labour Party. Taiwo Owatemi holds a Master’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Kent. She is a qualified pharmacist and practised for the NHS Trust before entering politics.
In December 2023, she announced the birth of her first child, a daughter. Owatemi secured 19,696 votes to beat her main rival, Tom Mercer of the Tories, who received 8,522 votes. She served as the Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities from September 2021 to September 2022. Owatemi is a member of Labour Friends of Israel and part of the delegation that travelled to the country in February 2023.
Chi Onwurah
Chinyelu Susan “Chi” Onwurah was born on 12 April 1965 in Wallsend. She attended Kenton School, Newcastle, and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College London. The British politician of Nigerian descent, a member of the Labour Party, first held office in 2010.
Chi Onwurah was re-elected as MP to represent Newcastle on Tyne Central and West for the Labour Party in the UK Parliament election. Onwurah received 18,875 votes on 4 July as the Labour Party won decisively in this election against the Tories. Before the election, she was the Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy.
Florence Dauta Eshalomi
Florence was born on 18 September 1980. The British politician of Nigerian descent served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Vauxhall from 2019 until the seat was abolished in 2024. Eshalomi, née Nosgbe, is a member of the Labour and Co-operative parties.
She was a Member of the London Assembly (AM) for Lambeth and Southwark from 2016 to 2021. She won the election as the MP for the newly created Vauxhall and Camberwell Green constituency in the 2024 general election. She is the first member of her family to attend university.
Eshalomi graduated with a BA Hons in Political & International Studies with Law from Middlesex University. She secured a total of 21,528 votes in the 2024 elections.
