Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday reassured attendees at a major economic summit in Nigeria that he felt “perfectly safe,” brushing off pre-trip warnings about the country’s security challenges.

Delivering the keynote address at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Johnson recounted his decision to visit despite media reports highlighting potential risks. “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,'” he said, drawing applause from the audience.

Turning to the crowd, Johnson polled the room: “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 comments came amid a backdrop of heightened insecurity in Nigeria, including a wave of kidnappings in November that saw over 300 students and teachers abducted in Niger State, prompting international criticism. Tensions have also risen following a stern warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Nigeria of failing to protect vulnerable communities, particularly Christians.

The summit, hosted by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, drew high-profile figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Tinubu, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, business magnate Aliko Dangote, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and several state governors. Liberian President Joseph Boakai also attended, underscoring the event’s regional significance as a platform for West African economic collaboration.

Johnson used his speech to applaud Uzodimma’s ambitious plans for 24-hour electricity supply in Imo State, positioning it as a cornerstone for economic transformation. He emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in achieving sustainable energy goals, calling AI “the future” and predicting its “colossal” impact on clean power initiatives.

“Your focus on electricity is completely right. What is the future? The future is AI. For clean, sustainable electricity and because of AI, it’s going to be colossal,” Johnson stated. “I congratulate you for what you are doing to secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and for the whole of Nigeria.”

Highlighting the enduring ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Johnson celebrated the mutual exchange of talent and resources. “I am very proud of what we export to Nigeria. We send you pharmaceuticals, bankers, services of all kinds, and automotive parts. 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 remarked.

In a lighthearted nod to shared leadership futures, Johnson quipped: “We send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us future United Kingdom prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.” Badenoch, the current UK Conservative Party leader and a Nigerian-born politician, has been tipped as a potential successor.

The Imo State Economic Summit 2025, held at the Concorde Boulevard, aims to foster investment and innovation amid Nigeria’s push for regional economic integration. Uzodimma’s administration has prioritized infrastructure, with the electricity project seen as pivotal to attracting tech and manufacturing sectors.

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