Anietie Udobit,Abuja
Kenyan President William Ruto has walked back controversial remarks about Nigerians’ English, offering clarification and praise in a bid to ease tensions.
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Speaking at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference, Ruto said his earlier comments had been misunderstood, stressing that Nigerians actually speak “exceptional English.”
“If you don’t speak excellent English, you may need a translator to fully appreciate Nigerians,” he said, reframing his previous statement.
The earlier remarks had sparked backlash across social media, igniting debates around identity, colonial legacy, and rivalry between African nations.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, responded diplomatically but firmly:
“Nigerians speak very good English,” he said.
Ruto also extended goodwill to President Bola Tinubu and described Nigerians as his “in-laws,” referencing his daughter’s marriage to a Nigerian.
The exchange appears to have softened tensions, turning a diplomatic misstep into a moment of reconciliation.