Ex-UK Prime Minister, Johnson visits Nigeria, condemns protracted Russia-Ukraine war

Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a case for a stronger mutually-benefitting relationship between Nigeria and Britain.

The former Prime Minister spoke in Lagos State on Monday, at the 16th Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe lecture series which had the theme, “Rehumanising Human Experience.”

“Now is the time. When the world is so uncertain, when some nations are disentangling, now is the time for the UK and Nigeria, two great democracies to work together,” Johnson, who is still a serving member of the British Parliament, said in his keynote address.

“Nigeria can be a renewable superpower and still be a producer of oil and gas. We could be much more together.”

Apart from seeking closer Nigeria-UK ties, he urged countries to unleash the potentials of their citizens by prioritising education.

“You need a society that is opened and that is tolerant to develop human potentials,” he said, adding that” urban successes are built on freedom under the law”.

More than one year after Russia invaded Ukraine, Johnson remains upbeat about the outcome of the war.

“The Ukrainians are going to win. Putin got it wrong because he’s undemocratic. He has only Yes-men.”

The high profile event, attended by national and global leaders in politics, focused on developing human potentials.

Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Chief Emeka Anyaoku; President-Elect Bola Tinubu, represented by Former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro; presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, were among those present.