OWERRI, Nigeria — Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed Nigeria’s growing global influence, crediting the country with enriching the United Kingdom in areas ranging from culture to professional talent.
Johnson made the remarks on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the 2025 Imo State Economic Summit in Owerri.
In a speech that blended humour with earnest praise, Johnson highlighted Nigeria’s contributions to the UK, including what he described as “a future prime minister in the form of Kemi Badenoch,” the British politician born to Nigerian parents.
“I will say nothing of those former colonies of France, but it’s wonderful; it’s absolutely wonderful that here in Nigeria, we are united, we have this huge blessing — ties of history and language and woven together constantly by the toing and froing of brilliant Nigerians to my country and back again, and British people are coming to Nigeria, and of course I’m proud, very proud,” he said.
“We’re very grateful and honoured. And we send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us future United Kingdom prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch, who comes from Nigeria and is doing better and better these days.”
Johnson noted that while the UK exports pharmaceuticals, automotive parts and other goods, Nigeria sends “so much in return,” including oil and gas, Nollywood films, medical professionals, technicians and tech innovators.
He added that the UK and Nigeria are increasingly linked through shared achievements: “A Nigerian singer who stole the show in the recent coronation of our king, the Nigerian football players who have millions if not billions of fans in the Premier League and who have admirers around the world, Nigerian artists, there’s a huge Nigerian show on right now at Tate Modern, Anglo-Nigerian films that are being nominated for the Oscars.”
Johnson, who served as prime minister and Conservative Party leader from 2019 to 2022, said Nigeria’s best years lay ahead, adding that Imo State in particular had “a fantastic future.”
Turning to the theme of innovation, he emphasised the transformative impact of artificial intelligence.
“What is the future? It is AI. It’s gonna be AI; it’s artificial intelligence, and the demand for clean, sustainable electricity because of AI is going to be colossal,” he said.
He commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for expanding infrastructure and prioritising clean energy, urging British firms to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the state and across Nigeria.
The summit drew an array of political and business leaders from Africa and beyond.
Attendees included Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima; Liberian President Joseph Boakai; and former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
Also present were several state governors, Dangote Group chairman Aliko Dangote and former Afreximbank president Benedict Oramah.
Johnson said the growing partnership between Nigeria and the UK would continue to shape the future, driven by talent, shared history and expanding economic cooperation.
