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Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he feels safe in Nigeria despite worrying reports he read before his trip.

Johnson made the remarks on Thursday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, while speaking at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 hosted by 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. And I said, ‘Well, I am going to go anyway,’” Johnson said.

He asked participants at the summit whether they felt safe and said he did as well, thanking Governor Uzodimma for efforts to improve security in the state.

Johnson praised the governor’s push to provide round-the-clock electricity in Imo, saying artificial intelligence would play a major role in achieving that goal. He described AI as the future of clean and reliable energy.

“Your focus on electricity is completely right. The future is AI. For clean, sustainable power, because of AI, it’s going to be massive. I congratulate you for what you are doing to secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and for Nigeria,” he said.

He also highlighted historic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, noting long-standing exchanges of talent and resources between both countries.

“We send you pharmaceuticals, bankers, services of all kinds, automotive parts. And you send us so much in return — oil and gas, Nollywood movies, brilliant doctors and nurses, technicians and tech geniuses. We are very grateful,” Johnson said.

He added jokingly, “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 also drew former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; business leader Aliko Dangote; Finance Minister Wale Edun; several governors and other dignitaries.