Boris Johnson Declares He Feels 'Perfectly Safe' During Visit to Nigeria

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made headlines on Thursday as he confidently stated he felt "perfectly safe" during his visit to Nigeria, brushing off pre-trip security concerns. Speaking at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025, held in the capital city of Owerri, Johnson expressed his commitment to attending the event despite negative reports about security in the country. In his keynote address, Johnson asked attendees if they felt safe and affirmed that he, too, felt secure under the governance of Imo State's Governor Hope Uzodimma. "When I decided to come to Owerri, I read some things, and there were people saying, 'There may be some security problems in Nigeria.'" Johnson's positive remarks come amidst ongoing security issues in the nation, including recent abductions and gun attacks.

Despite the challenges Nigeria faces, including a recent designation from President Donald Trump labeling it a “Country of Particular Concern,” Johnson noted that he was impressed with the state's efforts to provide 24-hour electricity as part of its economic growth strategy. "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," he stated.

Johnson emphasized the importance of the UK-Nigeria relationship, noting the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the two nations. As the former PM joined Governor Uzodimma in promoting investment in Imo State, he highlighted the governor's initiatives to secure sustainable power and improve business infrastructure, stating, "Imo is ready to harvest your investments."