Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on Nigeria to collaborate with other nations to mount diplomatic pressure on the United States over its actions in the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel.
Gatekeepers News reports that Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made the call during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television on Thursday.
He said the Nigerian government should work with other countries to promote adherence to international law and encourage major global powers such as Vladimir Putin’s Russia and Xi Jinping’s China to intervene diplomatically in the escalating crisis.
Falana criticised the actions of Donald Trump, accusing the U.S. president of disregarding international law and resolutions of the United Nations.
“President Trump has no regard and shows contempt for international law. Hence, he has pulled the United States out of about 66 resolutions of the United Nations. To him, the resolutions of the United Nations mean nothing,” Falana said.
He urged Nigeria to revive its tradition of multilateral diplomacy, similar to its role during the era of the Non-Aligned Movement, by working with other countries to push for restraint.
“Our duty as a country, as we used to do in the past, is to collaborate with other countries. When you talk of the days of non-alignment, we must now move very speedily to collaborate with other countries to mount pressure on Mr Trump,” he said.
Falana further stressed the need to persuade China and Russia to intervene diplomatically, noting their influence on Iran.
“We need to persuade China and Russia to intervene because those are the two countries that Iran will listen to,” he added.
Beyond the international dimension of the crisis, Falana urged Nigeria to strengthen its internal security architecture and reduce reliance on foreign powers for national stability.
“Nigeria must wake up. We must learn from Iran that unless you reorganise your own country, unless you equip your armed forces and your police force, there is no way an imperialist country like America will guarantee law and order in your country,” he said.
He also called on the Federal Government to reassess efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security institutions, noting that Nigerian troops have historically performed well in international peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the ECOWAS Monitoring Group.
Falana further criticised the management of Nigeria’s refining sector, questioning why the country’s state-owned refineries remain inactive despite billions of dollars spent on their rehabilitation.
“If we say we have four refineries, nobody is talking about them any longer. The NNPC now solely relies on the Dangote Refinery. Is that how to run a country? After carrying money down the drain, about $2.9 billion was spent on the maintenance of our four refineries,” he said.
His comments come as hostilities escalate between the United States, Israel and Iran, heightening global geopolitical tensions and raising concerns about the economic and security implications for countries such as Nigeria.
Iran War Escalation
A major war involving the United States, Israel and Iran began on February 28, 2026, following joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets.
The strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who was subsequently succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Now in its second week, the conflict has seen continued airstrikes on Iran and missile retaliation by Tehran against U.S. bases and Israeli targets across the region.
The war has caused significant humanitarian damage. More than 1,300 civilians have reportedly been killed in Iran, while about 3.2 million people have been displaced. Israeli strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon have also resulted in over 600 deaths.
At least seven U.S. soldiers have reportedly been killed, while Iran has launched missiles at American and allied targets across the Middle East.
Global Impact and Oil Surge
The conflict has also rattled the global economy after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, pushing crude oil prices above $100 per barrel.
In response to the supply disruption, the International Energy Agency said it would release about 400 million barrels of crude oil to help stabilise global markets.
Diplomatic positions remain far apart. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has said the war will only end if Iran’s rights are recognised, reparations are paid and guarantees against future attacks are provided.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” while Israeli leaders insist military operations will continue for as long as necessary.
The conflict is also affecting Nigeria. Rising global oil prices have pushed domestic petrol prices to between about ₦1,075 and ₦1,165 per litre after earlier spikes to as high as ₦1,300.
Nigeria has also begun evacuating its citizens from the region. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said Nigerians in Iran are being escorted across the Armenian border, with no casualties reported so far.
However, several Nigerians remain stranded in Middle Eastern transit hubs due to widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures.
