Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch as a “future Prime Minister” during a visit to Nigeria, where he addressed the Imo State Economic Summit in Owerri.
Johnson, who served as prime minister from 2019 to 2022, was a special guest at the event hosted by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. The summit brought together national and international political figures, business leaders and policymakers to discuss economic growth and investment opportunities in the region.
Speaking on Thursday, Johnson said he was pleased to be in Nigeria despite earlier security concerns raised before his trip.
“When I decided to come to Owerri, I read some things and people said there might be security problems in Nigeria. But I said I would go anyway,” he told the audience. “Do you feel safe here today? We all feel safe. And I feel perfectly safe. Thank you, Governor, for what you are doing.”
Johnson commended Governor Uzodimma’s push to improve the state’s infrastructure, particularly the move to provide 24-hour electricity. He said stable power remained one of the most important factors for economic development and noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) would play a major role in shaping the global economy in the years ahead.
“Your focus on electricity is absolutely right. The future is AI,” he said. “For clean, sustainable power, demand is going to be colossal. I congratulate you for what you are doing to secure clean and sustainable electricity for Imo State and for Nigeria.”
Johnson also reflected on the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Britain, describing it as a partnership strengthened by trade, cultural exchange and migration.
“We send pharmaceuticals, bankers, services of all kinds and automotive parts,” he said. “In return, you send oil and gas, Nollywood films, brilliant doctors, nurses, technicians and tech innovators. We are very grateful.”
In a remark that drew laughter from the audience, he added:
“We send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us future United Kingdom prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.”
Badenoch, who was born in London to Nigerian parents and spent part of her childhood in Nigeria, currently leads the UK Conservative Party. She has previously served as Business Secretary and Equalities Minister and has been widely considered one of the most influential figures in British politics.
Her leadership of the Conservative Party has intensified speculation about her future ambitions, with Johnson’s comments adding to ongoing discussions about her political trajectory.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, represented President Bola Tinubu at the summit. Other notable attendees included former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, industrialist Aliko Dangote, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, several state governors and leading figures from the public and private sectors.
The Imo State Economic Summit 2025 focused on investment, infrastructure, industrial growth and the role of technology in emerging markets.