“I’m very proud of what we export to Nigeria. We send you pharmaceuticals, bankers, services of all kinds and huge quantities of whiskey. And in return, you send us oil, gas, Nollywood movies, brilliant doctors, nurses, tech geniuses. We are very, very grateful.” — Boris Johnson, former UK prime minister, at the Imo economic summit
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is currently in Owerri, Nigeria, where he is a key speaker at the ongoing Imo State Economic Summit 2025. The two-day summit runs from December 4-5, 2025. The summit highlights Imo State’s transformation agenda, aimed at positioning the region as a competitive economic hub through investments in infrastructure, industrial growth, clean energy, agriculture, technology, and strategic public-private partnerships.
Key Details of his Visit
- Attendance: Johnson is a major international guest, attending alongside other global figures such as former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Liberian President Joseph Boakai.
- Remarks on Security: During his address, Johnson dismissed negative security reports about Nigeria, stating he felt “perfectly safe” in Imo State.
- Praise for Nigeria and Kemi Badenoch: He lauded Nigeria’s global contributions, specifically mentioning that the UK is grateful for the “brilliant doctors, nurses, technicians, and tech geniuses” the country provides. He also created a stir by suggesting that the UK may have Nigeria to thank for a future Prime Minister in the form of Kemi Badenoch.
- Focus on the Future: Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma’s push for 24-hour electricity in the state and highlighted the crucial role artificial intelligence (AI) will play in future economic transformation.
The event aims to attract investment and promote partnerships, with the theme “Unlocking Imo’s Economic Potential: Partnership, Investment, and Innovation”.
Governor Hope Uzodinma described the summit as a milestone for regional development, saying, “This is more than an economic summit; it is a blueprint for how African states can compete on the global stage. We are presenting bankable projects, concrete reforms, and real opportunities for partners who want to be part of Africa’s next growth frontier.”
The summit will showcase major projects across several strategic sectors:
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Orashi Special Energy Zone, reflecting Nigeria’s gas-to-industry strategy and renewable energy initiatives
Industrialization via Special Economic Zones
Agriculture and agro-processing
Digital infrastructure and technology
Tourism and the creative economy
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