Imo State Summit 2025 Fallout: ‘I Feel Safe In Nigeria’— Boris Johnson

By Fred Chukwulobe—

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated yesterday in Owerri, Imo State, that he feels safe in Nigeria, despite the security concerns he had heard before his visit.

The controversial Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (born 19 June 1964) is a British politician and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022.

Previously, he was Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018 and the second Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016. He also served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Henley from 2001 to 2008 and for Uxbridge and South Ruislip from 2015 to 2023. He held US citizenship until 2016.

Johnson was among world leaders bankrolled by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma for what the author describes as a “wild goose chase and jamboree” called the Imo State Economic Summit 2025.

Other attendees included former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, CBN officials, business mogul Aliko Dangote, and tech entrepreneur Leo Stan Ekeh, among others.

You might be wondering why I’ve labelled it a “wild goose chase” and a “jamboree.” It’s a jamboree because leaders of developed societies and emerging economies, from which some of these individuals hail, did not organise such summits with retired leaders in tow before achieving their economic breakthroughs. I will elaborate on this later.

Let’s address Boris Johnson’s grandiose statement. I doubt his High Commission in Nigeria shares his optimism.
He was paid to come to Owerri, and he must justify receiving a first-class ticket, a chartered flight to Owerri, and accommodation in a five-star hotel.
He was provided with ample security, ensuring no kidnapper or armed robber would dare approach his convoy, let alone attempt an attack.

He stayed for a few days and departed as he arrived. Consequently, he would not have experienced the realities faced by the traumatised populace living amidst insecurity that has claimed hundreds of lives and resulted in losses estimated in the billions.

Leaders like Johnson, who are no longer actively engaged in public office, are paid to attend such summits and act as public speakers. They are not expected to disrupt the proceedings lest they forfeit their remuneration.

Former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, earn substantial sums by speaking at these summits and other events. This is precisely what Boris Johnson did in Owerri.

One cannot expect a man who is well-compensated, well-protected, chauffeured, and who stayed for a mere 24 hours, to acknowledge the existence of insecurity or admit feeling afraid.

However, one can be certain that his High Commission in Nigeria briefed him thoroughly and will ensure he does not suffer the fate of Ahmed Gulak.

Returning to the summit itself, I’ve termed it a “wild goose chase” and a “jamboree” because I foresee no tangible outcomes beyond lengthy speeches, a beautifully crafted communiqué, academic publications afterwards, and a significant expenditure hidden from public scrutiny.

However, the summit did yield certain benefits: Hoteliers, whose facilities were fully booked.
Food vendors, who sold to visitors and local residents in attendance.
Commercial vehicle operators, who profited from transporting guests.
Commercial sex workers and their associates who catered to visitors.
Journalists and television crews, who covered the event, broadcast it, and earned revenue from advertisements and public relations.

The agency or government officials are responsible for drafting and planning the summit.
Airlines, which transported passengers to and from Owerri.

The losers in this scenario are the Imo State taxpayers, whose money, likely running into billions, was spent on this jamboree. They will likely forget the event once the initial euphoria fades and Boris Johnson and the guests return home unscathed.

Subsequently, the people will return to their daily lives, continuing to guard themselves against the rampant criminals who make their lives difficult.

It is important to recognise that Imo State is a subset of Nigeria. Its economic performance is intrinsically linked to the broader national economy managed by the federal government. Investments and returns are subject to the country’s economic policies.

I consulted Meta AI to support this point, and its findings are irrefutable:

“The development of a nation’s economy is a complex process influenced by various factors. Here are some key elements that contribute to economic growth:

Investment in Human Capital: Education, healthcare, and skills development create a productive workforce.
Infrastructure Development: Transportation, energy, and communication systems support economic activity.
Innovation and Technological Advancement: Research, development, and the adoption of new technologies drive productivity and competitiveness.
Institutional Framework: Effective governance, the rule of law, and a conducive regulatory environment attract investment and promote business growth.
Trade and Globalisation: International trade and investment can stimulate economic growth and specialisation.
Macroeconomic Stability: Sound monetary and fiscal policies maintain economic stability and investor confidence.

These factors interact and influence one another, and their impact can vary depending on a nation’s specific context and stage of development.”

Unfortunately, these critical factors are glaringly absent in our country, and our economy struggles to stabilise, even the means of exchange. How Imo State hopes to overcome these challenges and become an economic powerhouse is truly baffling.

Therefore, while Boris Johnson may have boosted the egos of Governor Uzodinma and the proponents of the summit, basking in the euphoria of “world leaders” gathering in Owerri, the reality of achieving the desired outcomes is far from being realised.

For me, it is easy to draft proposals, plan and execute such events, and put money into the pockets of those who do nothing more than attend and deliver grandiloquent speeches that entertain attendees. And there it ends. The people will eventually awaken from their slumber to realise that this was merely a performance, a “job” for a select few.