Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has brushed aside negative international reports about Nigeria’s security situation, insisting he feels entirely safe during his visit to the country.
Johnson was speaking in Owerri on Thursday at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025, where he served as one of the keynote guests invited by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
He told participants that despite warnings he encountered before his trip, his experience on the ground had contradicted those fears.
He recalled reading headlines and comments suggesting Nigeria faced serious safety risks.
“People advised me not to come.
“But I chose to make the journey anyway. Standing here today, I feel totally secure and I believe everyone at this gathering feels the same way, ” he said.
Johnson commended Governor Uzodimma’s plan to pursue round-the-clock electricity for residents, describing stable power as the backbone of industrial growth.
He argued that emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, will accelerate the transition to cleaner and more reliable energy systems.
According to him, advances in AI will reshape how power is produced and delivered, and Imo State’s commitment to adopting modern solutions places it in a strong position for economic expansion.
The former prime minister also highlighted the longstanding ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
He noted that both nations exchange professionals, creative talent, and vital goods in a relationship that continues to deepen.
He praised the contributions of Nigerian doctors, nurses, and tech experts to the UK, and joked that while Britain sends Nigeria its former prime ministers, Nigeria sends Britain rising leaders like Kemi Badenoch.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, was among the senior government officials at the summit.
Also present were former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, business mogul Aliko Dangote, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and several state governors.
The forum focused on investment opportunities, economic partnerships, and technology-driven development strategies for Imo State.
