Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson has predicted that Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch will govern the nation in the future.

Johnson gave a speech at the ongoing Imo economic conference in Owerri on Thursday.

The bond between Nigeria and the UK, according to the former prime minister, is maintained by a dynamic flow of talent that travels both ways.

“I’m very proud of what we export to Nigeria.

“We send you pharmaceuticals and bankers and services of all kinds, automotive parts, all sorts of things, and whisky – huge quantities of whisky,” he said.

“And you send us so much in return — oil and gas; Nollywood movies; brilliant, brilliant doctors and nurses; technicians; and tech geniuses from Nigeria come to the UK, and we’re very grateful and honoured.

“And we send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us a future United Kingdom prime minister in the form of Kemi Badenoch, who comes from Nigeria and is doing better and better these days.”

Johnson’s comments come as the Tories view him as one of Badenoch’s probable successors. Polls show the party virtually evenly divided on the likelihood of the British-Nigerian politician heading it into the next UK general election.

After the party’s poll ratings dropped ahead of the May municipal elections, discussions regarding removing Badenoch intensified.

The estimates proved correct, with the Tories receiving just 15% of the vote in the elections. This was their poorest performance since 1995.

An October survey found little but considerable displeasure with Badenoch.

Other potential successors to Badenoch include right-wing shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who will face her in the 2024 leadership election, and shadow housing secretary James Cleverly.

Johnson commended Badenoch as a Nigerian genius, but the Tory leader later stated that she no longer identified with her original nation.