Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he feels “perfectly safe” in Nigeria as he praises Governor Hope Uzodimma’s 24-hour electricity drive and highlights AI’s role in Imo’s economic transformation during the Imo Economic Summit 2025
I Feel Perfectly Safe in Nigeria’ — Boris Johnson Dismisses Negative Security Reports On Nigeria
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has declared that he feels “perfectly safe” in Nigeria, dismissing negative narratives about insecurity as he applauded Governor Hope Uzodimma’s ambitious economic and energy reforms in Imo State.
Johnson made the remark on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, the state capital.
According to him, contrary to alarming reports he read before travelling, his experience in Nigeria has been reassuring and welcoming.
“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? And I said, ‘Well, I am going to go anyway,’” Johnson told participants.
“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.”
The former UK leader also commended Governor Uzodimma’s push to deliver uninterrupted 24-hour electricity across Imo State, describing it as a visionary step for economic transformation.
“Your focus on electricity is completely right. What is the future? The future is AI,” Johnson noted.
“For clean, sustainable electricity—and because of AI—it’s going to be colossal. I congratulate you for what you are doing to secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and for the whole of Nigeria.”
He predicted that Artificial Intelligence will be instrumental in driving the state’s energy goals and unlocking new areas of development.
Johnson also highlighted the longstanding cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, noting that both nations benefit from mutual exchange of talent and expertise.
“I am very proud of what we export to Nigeria. We send you pharmaceuticals, bankers, services of all kinds, automotive parts,” he said.
“And you send us so much in return—oil and gas, Nollywood movies, brilliant doctors, nurses, technicians, and tech geniuses from Nigeria. We are very, very grateful.”
He added humorously, “We send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us future United Kingdom prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the summit, which attracted global and national heavyweights, including, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, several governors and business leaders.
The event focused on economic expansion, innovation, energy reforms, and global partnerships for Imo State’s growth.
