Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has declared that he feels “perfectly safe” in Nigeria, pushing back against negative international reports that often portray the country as unsafe. Johnson made the statement on Thursday in Owerri during the Imo State Economic Summit 2025, where he was a special guest. His remarks added a diplomatic shine to the event, which was organised to showcase investment opportunities and promote economic growth in the state.
Addressing business leaders, policymakers, and local and international guests, Johnson said he was determined to visit Imo State despite warnings from people who felt the security situation in Nigeria made travel risky. According to him, those fears did not match what he experienced upon arriving in the country.
“I want you to know that when I decided to come to Owerri, I read some things, and there were people saying, ‘There may be some security problems in Nigeria.’ Have you heard that?” he said, drawing laughter from the audience. “And I said, ‘Well, I am going to go anyway.’ And let me ask you: do you feel safe here today in this conference? Yes, we all feel safe. And I feel perfectly safe. Thank you, Governor, for what you are doing.”
His statement comes at a time when Nigeria is working to improve its global image, especially as foreign investors often cite security concerns as a major obstacle to investment. For many Nigerians, Johnson’s public dismissal of the negative reports is seen as a welcome boost, particularly considering his status as a former British leader and influential political figure.
Johnson used the opportunity to commend the efforts of Governor Hope Uzodimma, particularly the administration’s push to improve electricity supply across Imo State. He noted that reliable power is essential for economic transformation and applauded the governor’s ambition to deliver 24-hour electricity to residents.
He argued that artificial intelligence (AI) could play a major role in making that dream a reality. Johnson has in recent years become a vocal advocate for the responsible use of new technologies, especially AI, which he believes will shape future economic development around the world. Speaking in his trademark energetic style, he described AI as “the future” and encouraged the state to embrace innovation to boost growth and create jobs.
The Imo State government has in recent months promoted major infrastructure and digital projects as part of its efforts to attract investment. Johnson’s endorsement of this direction was viewed by many attendees as a sign that Imo’s policies are receiving international attention.
Johnson also highlighted Nigeria’s growing international influence, pointing to the rise of Kemi Badenoch, the British politician widely seen as a future candidate for the UK’s top office. Badenoch, who was born to Nigerian parents, has risen to national prominence in the United Kingdom and currently holds key political roles.
“We send you former UK prime ministers,” Johnson joked, “and you send us a future UK prime minister in the form of Kemi Badenoch, who comes from Nigeria and is doing better and better these days.”
His comment drew applause and served as a reminder of the strong personal and professional ties that exist between Nigeria and the UK. Badenoch has in recent years been vocal about her Nigerian heritage, often acknowledging the influence of her background on her worldview.
Johnson’s reference to her achievements added a personal touch to his broader message that Nigeria should take pride in its citizens who excel on the world stage.
The former prime minister went on to celebrate what he called the “natural partnership” between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He pointed to shared history, the English language, and long-standing cultural exchanges as key elements that continue to strengthen both nations’ relationship.
He stressed that the bond between the two countries goes beyond trade, saying the real strength of UK–Nigeria relations lies in collaboration and shared goals.
“It is not only about trade,” he said. “It is about the things we do together, the things we do in partnership.”
Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most important partners in Africa, with significant bilateral cooperation in areas such as education, security, business, and diaspora engagement. With a Nigerian population of over 200 million people and one of the largest youth populations in the world, the country is seen globally as a major future market and strategic partner.
Johnson’s comments at the summit reinforced the idea that Nigeria continues to play an important role on the international stage, despite the challenges it faces.
The Imo State Economic Summit, held at a time when states in Nigeria are increasingly looking inward to drive development, was designed to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to discuss the future of the state’s economy. Topics at the summit included agriculture, industry, technology, infrastructure, and the role of the private sector in job creation.
Johnson’s presence was one of the highlights of the event. His speech, mixing humour with political insight, quickly became the focus of public attention, especially as he chose to directly address long-standing concerns about security in Nigeria.
For many participants, his remarks symbolized a moment of positive international recognition. Observers noted that while security challenges exist in Nigeria, the former prime minister’s decision to travel to Owerri and speak openly about feeling safe was a positive message that could influence investor confidence.
As the summit concluded, the general sentiment among attendees was that Johnson’s visit had elevated the event’s status and drawn renewed attention to the potential of Imo State and Nigeria as a whole.
