Ex-UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, shrugs off security fears, says he feels ‘perfectly safe’ in Nigeria

Former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on Thursday played down concerns about insecurity in Nigeria, saying he felt “perfectly safe” during his trip to Owerri, despite warnings he had received before arriving in the country.

Johnson made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025, an event hosted by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

“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.’

“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,” Johnson said.

He also praised the state government’s plan to deliver round-the-clock electricity, saying technology — particularly artificial intelligence — would be essential in helping Imo achieve reliable power.

“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.

“I congratulate you for what you are doing to secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and for the whole of Nigeria,” he said.

Johnson highlighted the strong historical and cultural relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, noting the steady exchange of skilled workers and expertise between both nations.

“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.

“We send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us future United Kingdom prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch,” Johnson added.

The summit was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, alongside former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, industrialist Aliko Dangote, Finance Minister Wale Edun and several governors.

Johnson’s comments come as Nigeria continues to confront heightened security challenges that have drawn international scrutiny. In November, armed groups carried out a series of mass kidnappings across several states, including the abduction of more than 300 students and teachers in Niger State, adding to a rise in school attacks.

The tensions intensified after US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning accusing Nigeria of failing to safeguard vulnerable communities, particularly Christians.